Research on properties of modified nylon blend yarn and fabric

Purpose Due to the excellent functionality of graphene, the research on fiber modification by graphene has been receiving more and more attentions recently, and many research findings have been conducted. However, the purpose of this paper is to focus on the fiber modification method and corresponding modified fiber properties, but the research on processing of the modified fiber, especially the textile process, is little. Therefore, in the paper, the properties of one kind of textile GN fiber and the spinning method of the GN fiber blend yarn and the functionalities of corresponding fabric are studied. Design/methodology/approach In the paper, the properties of nylon fiber modified by graphene (GN) were studied first. Then, according to the tested results, one new blending process of the GN fiber and cotton fiber was given, and corresponding properties of the blend yarns were tested and analyzed. Finally, the knitted fabrics were produced using the spun blend yarns, and the antibacterial property, electromagnetic shielding property, anti-ultraviolet performance, anti-static performance and conventional mechanical, and appearance thermal-wet comfort properties were tested and comparatively analyzed. Findings The tested results showed that the functionality of all fabrics was effective due to the addition of the graphene in the fiber, especially the antibacterial property. With the increasing of the GN fiber in the blend yarns, the functionality of all fabrics was also increased first and then achieved stability. Originality/value One new blending process of the GN fiber and cotton fiber was given. In the spinning, the combed cotton sliver was produced first, and then was torn into small parts of combed cotton sliver fiber by hand. Then, the treated GN fibers and cotton fibers were mixed for the first time, and corresponding GN/C carding sliver was produced. In this blend processing, the mixed cotton fiber was used to improve the sliver processing of the GN fiber. Then, in the drawing process, the required number of GN/C carding sliver and combed cotton sliver were fed simultaneously, and GN fibers and cotton fibers were mixed for the second time, and corresponding four kinds of GN/JC blend yarns were produced. In this blend processing, the mixed cotton fiber was used to regulate the blending ratio.