A Novel Polymer Membrane for Extraction Applications

Wang, Xungai,Xu, Jianying,Paimin, Rohani,Shen, Wei The Korean Fiber Society 2002 Fibers and polymers Vol.3 No.2

In this study, a new type of Aliquat 336/PVC membrane has been made for extraction experiments. This new membrane is capable of holding more Aliquat 336 than previously developed extraction membranes, hence overcoming a major problem that has confronted many researchers for a long time. The new membrane has been used try investigate the rate of extraction fur the Cd(II) ion in 2.0 M HCI solution and the effect of membrane thickness on the rate of extraction. The experimental results have shown this new membrane has a promising future in relevant industrial applications. A new method is also used in this study to qualitatively identify the oily substance on the surface of membrane after the extraction experiment was completed. This oily substance has been found to be Aliquat 336.

An Experimental Investigation of Yarn Tension in Simulated Ring Spinning

Tang Zheng-Xue,Wang Xungai,Fraser W. Barrie,Wang Lijing The Korean Fiber Society 2004 Fibers and polymers Vol.5 No.4

Yarn tension is a key factor that affects the efficiency of a ring spinning system. In this paper, a specially constructed rig, which can rotate a yam at a high speed without inserting any real twist into the yarn, was used to simulate a ring spinning process. Yarn tension was measured at the guide-eye during the simulated spinning of different yarns at various balloon heights and with varying yarn length in the balloon. The effect of balloon shape, yarn hairiness and thickness, and yam rotating speed, on the measured yarn tension, was examined. The results indicate that the collapse of balloon shape from single loop to double loop, or from double loop to triple etc, lead to sudden reduction in yarn tension. Under otherwise identical conditions, a longer length of yarn in the balloon gives a lower yarn tension at the guide-eye. In addition, thicker yarns and/or more hairy yarns generate a higher tension in the yarn, due to the increased air drag acting on the thicker or more hairy yarns.

The Combined Tensile and Torsional Behavior of Irregular Fibers

He, Weiyu,Wang, Xungai The Korean Fiber Society 2002 Fibers and polymers Vol.3 No.1

Most fibers are irregular, and they are often subjected to combined loading conditions during processing and enduse. In this paper polyester and wool fibers under the combined tensile and torsional loads have been studied for the first time using the finite element method (FEM). The dimensional irregularities of these fibers are simulated with sine waves of different magnitude and frequency. The breaking load and breaking extension of the fibers at different twist or torsion levels are then calculated from the finite element model. The results indicate that twist and level of fiber irregularity have a major impact on the mechanical properties of the fiber and the effect of the frequency of irregularity is relatively small.

Internal Structure and Pigment Granules in Colored Alpaca Fibers

Wang Huimin,Liu Xin,Wang Xungai The Korean Fiber Society 2005 Fibers and polymers Vol.6 No.3

Alpaca fibers have some distinct properties such as softness and warmth, which have not been fully understood in combination with the fiber internal structures. In the present investigation, the internal structures of alpaca fibers have been closely examined under the scanning electron microscope (SEM), especially in the longitudinal direction. The results showed that numerous pigment granules reside loosely inside pockets in brown and dark-brown alpaca fibers. These pigment granules were mainly distributed inside the cortical cells, the medullation regions as well as underneath the cuticles. Their size in the brown alpaca fibers was smaller and more uniformly round than in the dark-brown fibers. These granules in colored alpaca fibers loosen the bundle of cortical cells, providing many crannies in the fibers which may contribute to the superior flexibility, warmth and softness of the fibers. Moreover, there are no heavy metal elements found in the granules. The mordant hydrogen peroxide bleaching employed could eliminate the pigment granules and create many nano-volumes for further dyeing of fibers into more attractive colors.

Diameter Variations of Irregular Fibers under Different Tensions

Deng, Chuanming,Wang, Lijing,Wang, Xungai The Korean Fiber Society 2007 Fibers and polymers Vol.8 No.6

The cross-section area of animal fibers varies along the fiber length, and this geometrical irregularity has a major impact on the mechanical properties of those fibers. In practice fibers are often subjected to tensile stresses during processing and application, which may change fiber cross-section area. It is thus necessary to examine geometrical irregularity of fibers under tension. In this study, scoured animal fibers were subjected to different tensile loading using a Single Fiber Analyzer (SIFAN) instrument. The 3D images of the fiber specimens were first constructed, and then along-fiber diameter irregularities of the specimens were analyzed for different levels of tensile loading. The changes in effective fineness of the fiber specimens were also discussed. The results indicate that for the wool fibers examined, there is considerable discrepancy in the fiber diameter results obtained from the commonly used single scan along fiber length and that from multiple scans at different rotational angles, and that the diameter variation along fiber length increases as fiber tension increases. The results also show that when diameter reduction treatments are applied to wool by stretching, the reduced average fiber diameter is associated with an increase in both within-fiber and between-fiber diameter variations. So in terms of effective fineness, the change is much smaller than the difference between the average diameters of the parent and treated wool. These results have significant implications for improving the accuracy of fiber diameter measurement and evaluation.

Influence of pH on Hygral Expansion, Relaxation Shrinkage and Extensibility of Wool Fabric

Li, Qing,Brady, P. Rex,Wang, Xungai The Korean Fiber Society 2007 Fibers and polymers Vol.8 No.2

The standard tests for relaxation shrinkage and hygral expansion of wool fabric take no account of pH. It is shown in this work that the pH of the solution in which wool fabric is relaxed as part of the procedure for measuring dimensional properties has a significant influence on the results. At around pH 4.8, which is close to the isoelectric point of wool, the hygral expansion reaches its greatest value and drops at both lower and higher pHs. A similar relationship between pH and extensibility of wool fabric was observed. Values of relaxation shrinkage were found to be dependant on pH. The reasons for the pH dependence of dimensional properties are discussed and these include changes in wool fiber swelling, yam crimp and polymer relaxation phenomena with changes in pH.

Flexural Characteristics of Coir Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites

Li Zhi-Jian,Wang Li-Jing,Wang Xungai The Korean Fiber Society 2006 Fibers and polymers Vol.7 No.3

This study has examined the flexural properties of natural and chemically modified coir fiber reinforced cementitious composites (CFRCC). Coir fibers of two different average lengths were used, and the longer coir fibers were also treated with a 1% NaOH solution for comparison. The fibers were combined with cementitious materials and chemical agents (dispersant, defoamer or wetting agent) to form CFRCC. The flexural properties of the composites, including elastic stress, flexural strength, toughness and toughness index, were measured. The effects of fiber treatments, addition of chemical agents and accelerated ageing of composites on the composites' flexural properties were examined. The results showed that the CFRCC samples were 5-12 % lighter than the conventional mortar, and that the addition of coir fibers improved the flexural strength of the CFRCC materials. Toughness and toughness index, which were associated with the work of fracture, were increased more than ten times. For the alkalized long coir fiber composites, a higher immediate and long-term toughness index was achieved. SEM microstructure images revealed improved physicochemical bonding in the treated CFRCC.

Frictional and Tensile Properties of Conducting Polymer Coated Wool and Alpaca Fibers

Wang Lijing,Lin Tong,Wang Xungai,Kaynak Akif The Korean Fiber Society 2005 Fibers and polymers Vol.6 No.3

Wool and alpaca fibers were coated with polypyrrole by vapor-phase polymerisation method. The changes in frictional and tensile properties of the single fibers upon coating with the conductive polymer are presented. Coating a thin layer of polypyrrole on the alpaca and wool fibers results in a significant reduction in the fiber coefficient of friction, as the conducting polymer layer smooths the protruding edges of the fiber scales. It also reduces the directional friction effect of the fibers. Depending on the type of fiber, the coating may slightly enhance the tensile properties of the coated fibers.

An Investigation of Solubility of Aliquat 336 in Different Extracted Solutions

Xu, Jianying,Paimin, Rohani,Shen, Wei,Wang, Xungai The Korean Fiber Society 2003 Fibers and polymers Vol.4 No.1

A major concern in solvent extraction process is the loss of extractant into the aqueous phase due to its slight solubility in the aqueous phase. Similarly, in membrane extraction processes, extractant loss through extractant leakage from the membrane into the aqueous phase is also a concern. Several published membrane extraction studies using Aliquat 336 ai the extractant, have expressed this concern, but none has studied extractant leakage quantitatively. It is the authors' opinion that the extractant leakage should be considered at a technical parameter of a membrane. In our laboratory active progress has been made in using Aliquat 336 ‘entangled’ into the polymer membranes to remove heavy metal ions from wastewater samples. In this work, we studied the loss of Aliquat 336 from the point of view of its solubility in aqueous solutions. The results showed that the solubilities or Aliquat 3,36 in an aqueous phase acidified with 2 M HCI it about 0.1 g/100 m/ of the solution. This figure provides a useful guideline for evaluating the leakage of the Aliquatoat 336 extractant from the membranes.

Characterization of Conductive Polypyrrole Coated Wool Yarns

Kaynak, Akif,Wang, Kijing,Hurren, Chris,Wang, Xungai The Korean Fiber Society 2002 Fibers and polymers Vol.3 No.1

Wool yams were coated with conducting Polypyrrole by chemical synthesis methods. Polymerization of pyrrole was caned out in the presence of wool yarn at various concentrations of the monomer and dopant anion. The changes in tensile, moisture absorption, and electrical Properties of the yam upon coating with conductive polypyrrole are Presented. Coating the wool yams with conductive Polypyrrole resulted in higher tenacity, higher breaking strain, and lower initial modulus. The changes in tensile properties are attributed to the changes in surface morphology due to the coating and reinforcing effect of conductive Polypyrrole. The thickness of the coating increased with the concentration of p-toluene sulfonic acid, which in turn caused a reduction in the moisture regain of the wool yin. Reducing the synthesis temperature and replacing p-toluenesulfonic acid by anthraquinone sulfonic acid resulted in a large reduction in the resistance of the yam.