Properties and performances of fabrics made from bio-based and degradable polylactide acid/poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PLA/PHBV) filament yarns

Abstract

This paper reports a comparative experimental study of single jersey knitted fabrics made from a novel bio-based and degradable polylactide acid/poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PLA/PHBV) multi-filament yarn, together with polylactide acid, Cupro, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide 6 (PA 6) multi-filament yarns. Their structures, mechanical, thermal and surface properties and performances as well as anti-bacterial behavior are measured and compared. It has been found that the polylactide acid/poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PLA/PHBV) filament yarn has adequate thermal and mechanical properties for normal textile and coloration/finishing processes. The Young's modulus of polylactide acid/poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PLA/PHBV) multi-filament yarn is the lowest among all the candidates investigated except for polyamide 6 (PA 6). The dyed polylactide acid/poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PLA/PHBV) fabric has the highest softness rating among all the fabrics. Single jersey knitted fabrics from the polylactide acid/poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PLA/PHBV) filament yarn have a bursting strength, extension and recovery that satisfy the industrial requirement. In addition, after fully relaxation, the dyed polylactide acid/poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PLA/PHBV) knitted fabrics exhibit an outstanding pilling resistance, favorable snagging property, as well as good air permeability, Qmax and smoother surface. Finally, this study has led to a discovery of excellent anti-bacterial performance of 100% polylactide acid/poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PLA/PHBV) fabrics against staphylococcus aureus, klebsiella pneumoniae, candida albicans according to AATCC100-2012.