Fabric cross-sections

Figure 7 (a) Fabrication cross-sectional layout of conductive polymer actuated micro-... 

To the best of this author s knowledge, 3DDfW preforms have been only produced in small demonstration samples on some manually operated devices. This author is not aware of any industrial-scale automated machines for their production. By the nature of this particular 3D weaving process, the fabric cross-sectional dimensions will be always relatively small (similar to the well-known situation with 3D braided fabrics), and the weaving speed will be always much slower than in the production of... 

Slurry or slip casting provides a relatively inexpensive way to fabricate unifonn-thickness, thin-wall, or large cross section shapes [4o, 44, 45, 46, 42 aiid 48]. For slip casting, a slurry is first poured into a porous mould. Capillary suction then draws the liquid from the slurry to fonn a higher solids content, close-packed, leather-hard cast on the inner surface of the mould. In a fixed time, a given wall thickness is fonned, after which the excess slurry is drained. 

Yarns and Fibers. Many different acetate and triacetate continuous filament yams, staples, and tows are manufactured. The variable properties are tex (wt in g of a 1000-m filament) or denier (wt in g of a 9000-m filament), cross-sectional shape, and number of filaments. Individual filament fineness (tex per filament or denier per filament, dpf) is usually in the range of 0.2—0.4 tex per filament (2—4 dpf). Common continuous filament yams have 6.1, 6.7, 8.3, and 16.7 tex (55, 60, 75, and 150 den, respectively). However, different fabric properties can be obtained by varying the filament count (tex per filament or dpf) to reach the total tex (denier). 

Although the cross-sectional shape of the spinneret hole direcdy affects the cross-sectional shape of the fiber, the shapes are not identical. Round holes produce filaments with an approximately round cross section, but with crenelated edges triangular holes produce filaments in the form of a "Y." Different cross sections are responsible for a variety of properties, eg, hand, luster, or cover, in the finished fabric. Some fibers may contain chemical additives to provide light-fastness and impart fire retardancy. These are usually added to the acetate solution before spinning,... 

Cross-sectional modifications of a more extreme nature than skin-bursting, which nevertheless do not form crimp, have grown in importance since the early 1980s. These yield a permanent bulk increase which can be translated into bulky fabrics without the need for special care. The first commercial staple fiber of this type was Courtaulds hoUow Viloft, developed in the 1970s using a carbonate inflation technique (37). 

Fig. 3. Cross-sectional view of vinyl-coated fabric with PVC coating layer.

Fig. 5. Cross-sectional view of urethane-coated fabric with coagulated polyurethane layer.

A grass-like artificial surface was installed for the first time in 1964, at Moses Brown School (Providence, Rhode Island) (1). In 1966, artificial turf was installed in the Houston Astrodome in Texas. These surfaces consisted of green pigmented, nylon-6,6 pile ribbon, with a cross-section resembling that of natural grass. Since that period, other fabrics of various pile ribbon and constmctions have continued to become available commercially for indoor and outdoor facihties. 

An important chemical finishing process for cotton fabrics is that of mercerization, which improves strength, luster, and dye receptivity. Mercerization iavolves brief exposure of the fabric under tension to concentrated (20—25 wt %) NaOH solution (14). In this treatment, the cotton fibers become more circular ia cross-section and smoother ia surface appearance, which iacreases their luster. At the molecular level, mercerization causes a decrease ia the degree of crystallinity and a transformation of the cellulose crystal form. These fine stmctural changes iacrease the moisture and dye absorption properties of the fiber. Biopolishing is a relatively new treatment of cotton fabrics, involving ceUulase enzymes, to produce special surface effects (15). 

Transverse Dimensions or Fineness. Historically, the quantity used to describe the fineness or coarseness of a fiber was the diameter. Eor fibers that have irregular cross-sections or that taper along their lengths, the term diameter has no useful meaning. Eor cylindrical fibers, however, diameter is an accurate measurement of the transverse dimension. Though textile fibers can be purchased in a variety of cross-sectional shapes, diameter is stiU a useful descriptor of the transverse dimension. Eiber diameter is important in determining not only the ease with which fibers can be twisted in converting them to yams, but also fiber stiffness, ie, fabric stiffness, and, alternatively, fabric softness and drapeabiHty. 

SiHcon carbide s relatively low neutron cross section and good resistance to radiation damage make it useful in some of its new forms in nuclear reactors (qv). SiHcon carbide temperature-sensing devices and stmctural shapes fabricated from the new dense types are expected to have increased stabiHty. SiHcon carbide coatings (qv) may be appHed to nuclear fuel elements, especially those of pebble-bed reactors, or siHcon carbide may be incorporated as a matrix in these elements (153,154). 

CP-1 was assembled in an approximately spherical shape with the purest graphite in the center. About 6 tons of luanium metal fuel was used, in addition to approximately 40.5 tons of uranium oxide fuel. The lowest point of the reactor rested on the floor and the periphery was supported on a wooden structure. The whole pile was surrounded by a tent of mbberized balloon fabric so that neutron absorbing air could be evacuated. About 75 layers of 10.48-cm (4.125-in.) graphite bricks would have been required to complete the 790-cm diameter sphere. However, criticality was achieved at layer 56 without the need to evacuate the air, and assembly was discontinued at layer 57. The core then had an ellipsoidal cross section, with a polar radius of 209 cm and an equatorial radius of309 cm [20]. CP-1 was operated at low power (0.5 W) for several days. Fortuitously, it was found that the nuclear chain reaction could be controlled with cadmium strips which were inserted into the reactor to absorb neutrons and hence reduce the value of k to considerably less than 1. The pile was then disassembled and rebuilt at what is now the site of Argonne National Laboratory, U.S.A, with a concrete biological shield. Designated CP-2, the pile eventually reached a power level of 100 kW [22]. 

Thread diameter The cross-sectional measurement of an individual fabric thread/yarn or wire. 

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