Introduction

Wrightiatinctoria R. Br. fibre is used for design and development of non-woven medicalapparel. Wrightia tinctoria is also known as the psoriasis curative fibreobtained from dead seed of Wrightia tinctoria plant. Thefibre has excellent medicinal properties and protects from skin diseases andother common ailments^.

Southern part of India has Wrightia tinctoria (AppocynaceaeFamily) that belong to genus Wrightia. It contains many important chemicalssuch as triterpenoid with cycloartenone, cyloeucalenol etc. It is pestresistant and also fights against drought. The wrightia tinctoria dead seed fibrecontent has been identified by bio chemical methods. Digital Projection Microscope is interfaced with computer to project the fibrelongitudinal view on wide computer screen for easy analysis.

Tensileand elongation properties of fibres are influenced by the internal structure ofthe fibres. Individual fibres of a given length and under specified tension aresubjected to vibration at resonance frequency. The linear density is determinedfrom the conditions of the resonance state i.e. the resonance frequency, thelength of the fibre and the tensioning force. The morphology of wrightia tinctoria was examined using scanningelectron microscopic. Swelling anddissolution of fibre in non-derivating solvents and the description of theachieved dissolution state are important task.

WrightiaTinctoria

Wrightiatinctoria R. Br., (Apocynaceae) (W. tinctoria),a small deciduous tree is known by various names example Ivory tree, Eastertree, Sweet indrajao etc have medicinal properties and are used by local peoplein India.

Taxonomy of Wrightia Tinctoria

Table 1: Taxonomy of Wrightia Tinctoria

Traditional uses of W.Tinctoria

Fresh leaves of W.Tinctoria are pungent and when crushed can be used for tooth ache, snakebite and psoriasis^. Many of the medicinal properties are to be substantiated by clinical trials in humans. Table 2 summarizes ethno medicinal uses reported for W. tinctoria^.

Table 2: Ethno medicinal uses of W. tinctoria

Development of non-woven medical apparel

       • Methodology

Fibre collection

The naturally dried seed pods are collected from the plant which is allowed to decay by exposing in sunlight or otherwise break the seed pods manually by applying external force. Once the seed gets separated from the seed pods then the fibre is separated from the seeds through plugging process.

Estimation of Fibre Content

Content of Fibre table

Microscopic Appearance

Nonwoven (formed) fabrics

To differentiate them from felt, other nonwovens are defined by the 'American Society for Testing and Materials' as fabrics constructed from fibres held together by mechanical, chemical and thermal bonding. The history of nonwovens began in the 1930s when a few textile firms began experimenting with cotton waste fibres.

Significant commercial production began during World War II. The development of manmade fibres and bonding agents gave added impetus to this segment of the textile industry. In the course of this development, cognizance was taken of the detractive and even negative connotation of the term "nonwovens". Consequently, reference to these materials as formed fabrics is also used.

Methods of manufacture

The processing and manufacturing of nonwoven fabrics vary with the fibres, methods of laying the fibres, and the bonding agents used. The fibres include cotton, wool, rayon, acetate, nylon, polyester, acrylic, modacrylic, polypropylene, and polyethylene. A combination of fibres can be employed. The staple, which is usually not waste, ranges from about 1/₁₂ to 6 inches (2- 150 mm) in length. Generally, the manmade fibres are 1. 5 to 6 denier; however, for some specialized surgical and industrial purposes, the range may be from about 5 microdenier to 10 denier, depending upon the porosity and weight desired. The fibres are processed through a series of opening, conditioning, and blending operations. Layers of webs of fibre are then formed. Adhesion of the fibres is accomplished by fibre friction, heat, addition of an appropriate resin, latex or other bonding agent.

Finishing of nonwoven fabrics: Finishing techniques for nonwoven fabrics are limited. Dyeing is usually done after the fabric has been formed. They may be calendared for smoothness or embossed for textured effects. They may also be printed or flocked. Softness may be added to improve the hand.

Testing: The developed medical apparel will be tested for various physical, mechanical and anti-microbial testing. Skin irritation test and other related test are done using standard test equipments.

Conclusion

The results from the above test conducted on the developed fabric will be analyzed and reported. The developed fabric will be of immense use to the society.

References:

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About the author

Dr. G. Ramakrishnan is currently working as Senior Associate Professor in Department of Fashion Technology, and Coordinator of KCT-TIFAC CORE, Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore. He has 29 years of experience that includes industry and academics.

Acknowledgement

The authors express their sincere thanks to Management of Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore and Textile Research Centre, KCT-TIFAC-CORE in Textile Technology and Machinery, of Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore, India for permitting to process all the samples in their advanced manufacturing laboratory.