Category: Fiber

The Art of Sheep Fiber Extraction in Afghanistan

Fiber, How To
The Art of Sheep Fiber Extraction in Afghanistan

In the rugged landscapes of Afghanistan, the ancient tradition of sheep fiber extraction is an art deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of the region. This intricate process, dating back centuries, not only sustains local communities but also contributes to the creation of prized wool used in various traditional textiles. In this exploration, we delve into the fascinating journey of how sheep fiber is extracted in Afghanistan, highlighting the meticulous steps involved in this age-old practice.

Sheep Rearing:

The process begins with the careful rearing of sheep, a vital component of the Afghan agricultural landscape. Local breeds, well-adapted to the harsh environmental conditions, are raised by nomadic or semi-nomadic communities. The breeds, such as Karakul and Kuchi, are selected for their hardiness and the quality of wool they yield.

Shearing Process:

The shearing of sheep is a skilled task usually performed by experienced and trained individuals within the community. This process typically takes place in the spring when the sheep’s wool is at its peak quality. The shearing is done with precision to ensure the removal of the fleece without causing harm to the animal. Traditional hand shears are often used, preserving the authenticity of the practice.

Wool Sorting and Grading:

Once the fleece is sheared, it undergoes a meticulous sorting and grading process. This step is crucial in determining the quality of the wool and its potential applications. Skilled artisans assess factors such as fiber length, fineness, color, and cleanliness. The wool is then separated into different grades, each destined for specific textile products.

Cleaning and Washing:

Afghanistan’s sheep fiber extraction process places a strong emphasis on cleanliness. The raw wool is cleaned and washed thoroughly to remove impurities, dirt, and natural oils. This stage involves the use of locally sourced water, and in some cases, traditional soaps made from natural ingredients.

Spinning and Weaving:

The cleaned and sorted wool is then spun into yarn using traditional methods, often done by hand using a drop spindle or a spinning wheel. The spun yarn is then meticulously woven into intricate patterns using traditional handlooms. This craftsmanship results in textiles that showcase the rich cultural heritage of Afghanistan.

Dyeing and Finishing:

The final touch involves dyeing the woven textiles, a process that employs natural dyes sourced from local flora. This adds vibrant colors to the textiles while maintaining an eco-friendly and sustainable approach. Once dyed, the textiles undergo finishing processes, including pressing and polishing, before they are ready to be introduced to local markets or exported.

Preserving Heritage and Livelihoods:

The art of sheep fiber extraction in Afghanistan not only produces high-quality wool but also sustains the livelihoods of countless artisans and communities. The process embodies a harmonious blend of tradition and practicality, showcasing the resilience and resourcefulness of the Afghan people.

Conclusion:

In the heart of Afghanistan, the extraction of sheep fiber is not merely a process; it is a cultural legacy passed down through generations. This intricate journey, from sheep rearing to the creation of vibrant textiles, reflects the resilience, skill, and deep connection to the land that define the Afghan people and their enduring traditions.

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Explain what is fire proof Fabric material?

Fabric, Fiber, Garments

Fireproof fabric

It is difficult to say whether or not a fabric is fire proof because most fabrics catch fire, but some fabric will slow down and eventually put out the flames surrounding it. This type of fabric can be called Fire Retardant Fabric. Different chemical methods can achieve this ability.

The use of protective textiles is very common in most industries. Industries that have fire-related hazards must have fire retardant fabrics for the workers. As the first thing that comes in contact with fire and heat is the clothing then the skin. If the clothing worn is fireproof then the chances of the skin getting burned are low. The majority of fire accidents involve textile burning. Cellulosic is commonly used in fabrics but is more inflammable. The weight of the materials and their inflammability decides the outcome of the textile burning. Gradually, heavily weighted and tight textiles burn as loose compared to light and loose fibred clothing. It is most essential for textiles to be flameproof because of their widespread use.

fire proof Fabric

fire proof Fabric

A fire proof fabric can be produced by mixing natural and manmade synthetic fibers like nylon or polyesters. Fibres have been treated with a chemical which minimizes the fabrics ‘ flammability and makes them almost fireproof. The substance coated with chemical interacts with the fire and produces gasses and tars when a fire occurs. This produced gas and tars have carbon or charcoal that decelerates the burning speed of the fabric.

Of course, flame retardant fabric such as wool can go through the chemical coating on the fibers and be made into a Fireproof Clothing Material.

How fire-retardant textiles protect you

Fire retardant fabrics bulwark the worker so that the clothing is burnt but fire is restricted and burned out. Most of these clothing consist of wool but can be further treated to making it more efficient. Fire safety is important in most industries in general because the working cloth that protects from heat and fire are compulsory, and they can protect from the fire hazards that cause danger to the people working in the harsh conditions.

Including fire risks, electrical malfunctions are also risky in the industrial sector. For instance, workers in an area circumvented by many astronomically huge machines operating with electricity. If any cut or lose cable touches the worker it put their life into disrepair, but the worker will not be shocked and the worker will be safe and go home if he or she wears a Fire proof fabric with synthetic fibers or natural fibers.

Flameproof leather gloves bulwark the worker from hot metal and non-metal objects. It should be worn to shield them from arc rays, sparks, and sultry metal. The leather gloves should be sturdy enough to prevent heat injury, burn or easily wearing them out. Holding extremely hot objects for a long period of time compress and break the leather gloves. Do not let the oil come into contact with gloves as it reduces their resistance to flames and makes them easily burned or charred.

There are plenty of fumes in the air in the textile industry, and these gases can be harmful to the human lung and heart, and workers have to wear masks made from wool or cotton. It means that these masks should not be treated chemically because chemicals in the fabrics are unsafe for employees to breathe.

Flaming evidence for textiles is dangerous given the risks involved, however, it is important to instruct employees in keeping their equipment up to date as it is their only aegis and if that aegis fails, their lives would be in danger.

Cleaning and repair of fireproof fabrics

Liquid detergents may be used to immaculate fire-resistant textiles with cold water or dihydrogen monoxide. Bleach, fabric smoother and any high-fat soap and starch soap should be avoided when washing the fabric because it might affect the fire resistance of the fabric and could endanger a person’s life who wears it.

Every day, workers should be encouraged to test their fabrics before wearing them. Check for over wear and tears in the design. Holes and tear should be repaired if it is needed. Fireproof fabrics are just perfect for a certain amount of washes. After a number of washings, the chemicals fatigue and reduce habilitation. Fire-resistant overalls can be used to improve the lives of fire-resistant materials. The fabric that is worn can influence workers ‘ life and safety under your fire retardant fabrics. If workers wear this clothing, they must always be careful to wear non-melting fabrics only under them.

If the clothing is damaged to the point of no repair, it must be replaced. Saving money by not buying new safety clothing can be catastrophic for the life of workers and the company’s reputation.

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Is India ready to take the advantage of US-China trade war

Business, Fiber, News
Is India ready to take the advantage of US-China trade war

Consistent overgrowing nation India can take some advantage from US-China trade war by taking the market place globally in synthetic or so called man-made Fibre. Though it’s holds a great opportunity for India to spreading it’s business more place with good quality of products reasonable price and reducing carbon dioxide emissions from industries as experts expected.

According to textile Secretary Ajit B Chavan, we need to come up with a strong plan as we can take our textile industry into next level to competitive globally. We’ve been observing last several years; our intention on only production but now we have to be serious about product quality and out her criteria to improve our products standards in global markets. “It is high time that the industry changes its approach to move into the second growth phase and aim for exports of around $100 billion from the current $40 billion,” He said at the CII Texexcel 2019, the National Textiles 4.0 Summit in India.

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China is well known for making all types of goods and export all over the world, so that due to low budget China export cheap goods in India. In this matter Grasim Industries Dilip Gaur (Chairman, CII National Committee on Textile & Apparel & Managing Director) said, “India needs to create trade barriers for China to prevent it from dumping cheap textile products into India. The textile industry aims to be a $350 billion industry by 2025 from the current $137 billion.

Companies should also look at reducing carbon footprints. India should look at presenting itself as a competitive manufacturing nation,” Agarwal added.

Now it’s a matter of time , to see how India use this glorious opportunity to make its own business footprint one step ahead in global market in the race of us-China trade war. The trade was was started when USA banned Chinese oriented brand called huawei mobile.

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Revolution of textile by banana fiber

Fiber, News, Spinning, Testing
Revolution of textile by banana fiber

Banana is a famous well-known fruit specially in yellow color all across the word. Banana has too much natural nutrition fact that makes human body more healthy and strong. Today’s we realize that banana is not only one purpose we cultivate banana tree.  Because banana stalk can be used to extract valuable fiber. That fiber could be used to make products like tea bag, sanitary napkin, floor and wall mat. Recently japan used this fiber to make yen bank notes, car tyres and many more. The multipurpose usage of banana fiber increasing the demanding value recent years. Expert says this banana fiber might brought to light by Japanese and Nepalis on ancient time. When they think about waste the entire banana tree by cut and through into dustbin. They find out the stalk of banana fiber can be produced to make rope that take too much force to get it breaking point.

Revolution of textile by banana fiber

Revolution of textile by banana fiber

The archaeologists say may be three banana trees was first cultivated in Kuk valley of New Guinea around 8,000 BCE but it could be occurred throughout South-East Asia and the South Pacific. In the time of 13th century they use banana stalk as a source of fiber. But when people get a better, strong and smoot fiber like cotton and silk the banana fiber faded away by time.

Todays those ancient thought giving us amazing silk grade banana fiber by Turning a waste into profit.

 

Banana fiber composed

  • cellulose
  • hemicelluloses
  • lignin

It’s like bamboo and ramie fibers. But this fiber’s fineness and spin ability are better than bamboo and ramie fibers.

Properties of banana fiber

  • The chemical composition is cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin.
  • It has better fineness and spin ability which include ring spinning, open -end spinning, best fiber spinning and semi-worsted spinning.
  • it is strong fiber & it has smaller elongation and
  • its weight is light.
  • It has strong moisture absorb quality.
  • Best fiber of banana extract from bark of banana tree.
  • This fiber is bio-degradable.
  • It is ECO-friendly fiber.
  • Banana fiber comes from wasted banana tree which we thought worthless.
Revolution of textile by banana fiber- waste material

Revolution of textile by banana fiber- waste material

Production of banana fiber

 

  • Banana tree is harvest in field
  • Stems are peeled to extract sheaths
  • Sheaths are fed into machine
  • Extracted fiber in sun dried for a day
  • This fiber is ready for craft
  • Fiber used for handicrafts

Value of this fiber is increasing for its demand and multipurpose usages all over the world. Global textile industries took an important step to turn a waste material into profitable fiber.

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Top ten country by cotton Exporting

Fiber, Spinning
Top ten country by exporting cotton

Cotton is a natural fiber which able to makes most comfortable and beloved of all cloth in efficient budget. This is the most popular natural fiber across the world because of its chemical and natural properties. Cotton takes an important role in textile industry to fill the necessity of natural fiber. All that textile production country does not have the ability to grow cotton in own country because of sufficient land, fertilization, climates and government approval. Pick a country like Bangladesh; it’s able to cultivate cotton in their inland but cotton takes a little long to grow and mature; in that time Bangladeshi farmer can grow more crops than cotton which helps them to survive and feed the nation.

Top ten country by exporting cotton

Top ten country by exporting cotton

In that case some people export their cotton after complete the demand of domestic industry. Various countries grow cotton which not only fulfills domestic needs but also boosting up the overall economical health of the country by exporting cotton across the world.

Global cotton export estimate amount was $54.3billion in 2015. Here are given blew the top ten list of the country which add a fair amount of money on annual growth of economy. This statistic is taken from recent global market export and import statistic report.

List of top ten country by exporting cotton:

S/N Country Worth of shipment in (USD) Percentage of total exports
01 China $15.8 billion 29.1%
02 India $7.5 billion 13.8%
03 United States $5.9 billion 10.8%
04 Pakistan $3.1 billion 5.7%
05 Hong Kong $2.3 billion 4.3%
06 Vietnam $1.8 billion 3.2%
07 Turkey $1.7 billion 3.1%
08 Italy $1.5 billion 2.7%
09 Brazil $1.4 billion 2.7%
10 Germany $998.9 million 1.8%

China is the country who leads the cotton exporting business around the globe. With 9,596,961 km2 and 1,376,049,000 population china produce a huge amount of cotton that fulfill their domestic Demand and makes more than $15.8 billion USD last year. Come to the second country India which 3,287,263 km2 and 1,293,057,000 of population they produce vast amount of cotton that fill domestic demand and export extra cotton; like china and makes $7.5 billion USD last year. In that situation one thing is clear that; to produce huge amount of cotton you need more lands with adept people to cultivate cotton to makes garments and export it in worldwide.

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Complete Dyeing process of cotton

Fiber, Spinning, Wet Processing
Complete Dyeing process of cotton

Complete Dyeing process of 100% cotton fabric
Cotton is most popular natural fiber around the world. The original way of wet processing is most important. Follow chart is part and parcel in textile industry. This is ideal follow chart for cotton dyeing which is help somebody to know about cotton fabric or yarn dying.

Complete Dyeing process of cotton

Complete Dyeing process of cotton

I’m describing the complete dyeing process of 100% cotton fabric by the following process flowchart:
Fill water
↓
Load fabric
↓
Temperature control 600 C
↓
Inject detergent + Sequestering agent + Anti-creasing agent
↓
Run time 10 minute
↓
Caustic dosing 600C X 10’
↓
Increase temperature at 700C
↓
H2 O2 dosing
↓
Run time 110 0 C X 40’
↓
Cooling at 800 C
↓
Rinse at 60 0C for 7 minute
↓
Water drain
↓
Fill water and inject PKK
↓
Temperature 980 C and run time 10’
↓
Cooling at 800 C
↓
Rinse at 50 0C for 7 minute
↓
Water drain
↓
Fill water
↓
Inject acetic acid at 550 C X 10’ and check p H
↓
Raise temperature at 800 C X 10’ and destroy enzyme activity
↓
Rinse for 5 minutes
↓
Water drain
↓
Fill water
↓
Check p H
↓
Temperature 600 C
↓
Inject leveling + sequestering agent run time 5’
↓
Inject salt 600 C X 20’
↓
Color dosing 60 0C X 33’
↓
Run time 20 minute
↓
Soda ash dosing for 33’
↓
Check sample after 10, 33.…… during shade matching
↓
Rinse at 50 0C for 15’
↓
Drain
↓
Fill water
↓
For neutralizing, inject A. acid
↓
Run time 10 minute then rinse for 10 minute
↓
Darin
↓
Fill water
↓
Inject
↓
A. Acid 55 0C X 10’
↓
Check PH
↓
Inject softener
↓
Run time 500C X 20’
↓
Rinse
↓
Drain
↓
Fill water
↓
Cold wash
↓
Unload from machine

Acknowledgement for reader who is must be textile student or expert on textile technology. If you missed something on this flowchart and if you have any objection about anything please leave a comment on comment box are given blew.

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