• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.353-370
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• 2023

In this study, the performance of ultrasonic cleaners for ultrasonic washing, which is one of the wet cleaning methods, was evaluated. The washing performances of ultrasonic cleaners were compared with commercial washing machines under normal and wool courses based on different parameters such as detergency, wrinkle formation, fabric damage, dimensional stability, and germ removal ability. Cotton, silk and wool were used in this experiment. Results revealed that the ultrasonic washing detergency of cotton fabrics was lower than that of commercial washing machines under the normal course and similar to that of commercial washing machines under the wool course. Detergency of silk fabrics was similar under both normal and wool courses. In terms of wrinkle formation and dimensional stability, ultrasonic cleaners showed lesser wrinkles and lower shrinkage than commercial washing machines. Considering damage evaluation, ultrasonic cleaners more effectively removed soil without damaging fabrics compared with commercial washing machines. The bacteria removal rate of both cotton and silk was more effective than the wool course of a commercial washing machine. Thus, this study compares the performance of ultrasonic cleaners and commercial washing machines and provides meaningful results related to ultrasonic washing performance.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.386-397
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• 2023

In this study, the efficacy of ultrasonic washing in cotton and wool fabrics was compared and evaluated against conventional washing in terms of cleaning properties and fabric deformation. Factors such as washing temperature, time, liquid ratio, and detergent concentration were kept varied, and the cleaning properties of sebum-soiled fabrics were assessed using different detergents such as alcohol ethoxylate, linear alkylbenzenesulfonate, and IEC 60456 Reference Detergent A^*. In addition, the effects and emulsification power of enzymes and oxygen bleach were examined. To compare the cleaning properties with general washing, a launder-O-meter was used. To investigate fabric deformation during the washing process, the loosening test cloth, shrinkage test cloth, and mechanical strength test cloth were compared between ultrasonic washing machines and household drum washing machines. The results indicate that ultrasonic washing exhibits superior cleaning properties than launder-O-meter when the temperature is low and the washing time is short. Furthermore, there is less deformation and damage during the washing process. It was also observed that the activity of the detergent increases when ultrasonic waves are applied to the washing process. Considering the increasing tendency to pursue convenience and simplicity in clothing management as well as the anticipated commercialization of smart clothing with built-in electric circuits, ultrasonic laundry could serve as a new alternative to existing laundry methods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency of four different cleaning method of silk and to fabrics, which were excavated from the sixteenth century tombs. The four cleaning methods were hand washing in water and hand washing in solvent, washing in ultrasonic cleaner, and using of ultrasonic gun after washing in ultrasonic cleaner. The following is the result of the experiment: ㆍBoth silk and jute fabrics shrank the most after hand-wash in water. This cleaning method decreased their thickness the most but changed their strength the least. However, the color of the fabric changed the most after had-wash in water. This washing method might discolor the dyed fabric, so one must check the condition of the fabric thoroughly before washing it. ㆍThe weight and the thickness of the fabric changed little after ultrasonic cleaning. This cleaning method, therefore. is less efficient than hand-water-wash. The use of ultrasonic gun after ultrasonic wash for partial cleansing enhanced the efficiency a little. Nevertheless, this method left stain around the area where the gun was used, and the injected water could damage the fabric. ㆍThe excavated fabric became softer in the cleaning process as the dirt was washed away. In both cases of silk and jute fabrics cleaning, solvent made the fabric softer than water. Washed in solvent, the fabric did not swell. But water penetrated to the fiber during the cleaning process and made the fabric swell. When the water evaporates, the swollen fiber structure collapses and the fabric become stiff. Ultrasonic wash did not cause much change in the flexibility of the fabric, for this method does not remove the dirt as effectively as the other method.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.673-681
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• 2000

Electrically conductive composites have been prepared by treating fabrics with oxidizing agent and exposing them to aniline, which deposited a substantial amount of conductive polymer within the interstices of the material. However the conductivity of the composite fabrics was limited by the irregular deposition of the conductive polymer layer. To improve the conductivity of polyaniline/nylon 6 composite fabrics, we modified the surface characteristics of nylon 6 fabrics by various plasma treatments and increased diffusion and adsorption of aniline by ultrasonic treatments. By the oxygen plasma treatment, attachment of functional groups such as C-O and C-OH increased on the surface of nylon 6 fiber, which promoted adhesion to polyaniline resulting in the higher add-on and electrical conductivity. Electrical conductivities of polyaniline/nylon 6 composite fabrics were highly increased by ultrasonic treatment, which assisted the diffusion of aniline into the inside of nylon fabrics by cavitation and vibration. Also, the effects of monomer concentration and the number of deposition cycles on the nylon 6 fabric conductivity Were investigated. As a result, the fabric conductivity increased with the monomer concentration and the number of polymerization deposition cycles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1754-1760
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• 2007

To improve poor dye uptake of safflower yellow colorants, cellulose fibers were pretreated with chitosan. The effect of chitosan pretreatment on the dyeability of safflower yellow colorants to cotton, ramie, and rayon was investigated in terms of dye uptake, color, and colorfastness. Irrespective of fiber types, dye uptake increased continuously with increase in chitosan concentration. Chitosan pretreatment improved dye uptake up to 5.6 times for cotton, 7.2 times for ramie, and 3.7 times for rayon. For cotton and ramie, the shade of dyed fabric changed YR color to Y color with increase in chitosan concentration. Dyed rayon fabrics showed Y color irrespective of chitosan concentration. Shades got darker and deeper with increasing chitosan concentration. Shades of chitosan pretreated fabrics were shifted differently depending on dyeing temperature within same fabrics. In common, the color of all dyed fabrics changed to YR at 50 and $70^{\circ}C$ while Y color at 30 and $90^{\circ}C$. V and C value decreased with increase in dyeing temperature and resulted in darker and duller color, in general. Light fastness was fair while washing fastness was poor. It was confirmed that ultrasonic dyeing method enhanced dye uptake more than 30% for cotton and ramie fabrics compared to the conventional automatic machine dyeing method. However, no difference in dye uptake between two dyeing methods was found for rayon.