Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to determine the influence made by complex finishing of denim fabrics, i.e. laser treatment and industrial washing, on the change in tension properties of fabric. Design/methodology/approach: Test specimens were treated by a laser JG-10050. Lasers main technological parameters: maximum laser beam power is 65 W, laser types are hermetic and detached CO₂, laser tube wavelength is 10.62 µm. The test specimens processed by different laser energy density have been exposed to industrial washing and their tensile characteristics have been investigated. Findings: The results of the research have demonstrated that complex finishing reduces the breaking force; however, material extensibility remains almost unchanged. Mechanical behaviour and composition characteristics of fabric are determined both by laser motion direction in respect of warp or weft and laser energy density. Originality/value: The carried-out analysis of scientific literature has shown that the effect of laser on the fabric surface is relevant both in scientific and practical terms: the scientific literature contains studies on absorptive properties of laser treated materials; however, the behaviour of materials after complex finishing has not been widely investigated thus far.

The aim of this research was to determine the influence of pulsed CO₂ laser treatment on crust leather surface morphology and wettability. The obtained results revealed that pulsed CO₂ laser engraving can be used as an effective tool for crust leather surface treatment. Pulsed CO₂ laser treatment only negligible affects the macrostructure of leather, while the morphology and wetting of the leather surface after treatment were changed. It was found that an increase of laser pulses number increases the initial water contact angle value and intensifies the water droplet relaxation process. After laser treatment, the water droplet contact angle relaxation rate increases twofold compare to those for untreated leather. SEM micrographs showed increased defectiveness with rough surface patterns, thermally affected areas, and change of microstructure. The EDX analysis revealed that the engraved leather surface contains a significantly higher amount of carbon but smaller quantities of oxygen compared to those of untreated samples. It was found that only after laser treatment chromium and sulfur in the EDX spectra appear while for untreated samples these elements on the surface were not observed. The results indicate that for investigated samples laser engraving does not affect the concentration of hexavalent chromium and are in accordance with EU requirements.

Timber and timber products are renewable materials that, due to their durability and strength properties, meet the requirements of the construction industry, are widely used in buildings. An analysis of the scientific literature has shown that there is a lack of detailed research that fully investigates the influence of the rate of increase of the moisture content of the timber on the mechanical and, especially, the strength properties of the LVL panels. Upon immersion into water of the bottom of the specimen, the water starts rising quite quickly at the edge of the specimen, and the first six hours are the most critical. The levels of water rise inside the LVL specimen were less significant than at the edges. It was found that water significantly affects the bending strength of the panels, which, when the strength of the wet panel compared to the strength of the dry panel, decreases to 45% after one soak cycle and almost to 52% after two soak cycles. The tensile strength of the wet specimens is ~40% less than that of the dry specimens. The strength of the panels that were dried back to their initial state was found to be sufficient again, different from the initial strength only within the error limits; the strength properties of the building structure will not be affected.

This paper reports the comprehensive experimental study of the tearing behaviour of PES/PVC-coated architectural membranes exposed to different accelerated aging conditions. Coated fabrics intended as building envelopes are constantly exposed to the environmental impacts, therefore, it is important to determine the influence of these factors on changes of mechanical properties, and the tear strength was considered to be one of the essential characteristics associated with the life span of a tensioned membrane structures. An accelerated aging model was developed based on the analysis of the aging factors significantly relevant to the building operation. The effect of abrasion, higher temperature and humidity as well as set of these aging factors on tear performance were investigated. The results show that in most cases the tear strength of architectural membranes changes marginally within the limits after exposure to artificial aging. The biggest contributor to tearing changes was high temperature, which could be the dominant component in the aging model. The study provides a better understanding of tearing performance of PVC-coated fabrics in real environmental conditions.

The aim of the research was to modify the surface of construction textiles by means of the use of thin silver oxide films, investigate the structure and optical and mechanical properties, and determine the structure, optical and mechanical properties of the aged composites. Thin films of silver oxide (Ag₂O) were synthesized on a flexible PET/PVC construction textile (CT); the structural, optical, and physical properties, as well as the effect of artificial aging on these properties, were investigated. The SILAR method (successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction) was used to synthesize thin Ag₂O films on the CT surface. Before the thin films were deposited, the CT surface was mechanically roughened and pretreated with acidic and alkaline solutions at an elevated temperature. XRD analysis showed that the deposited films were a polycrystalline mixed phase material consisting of Ag₂O, AgO, and metallic Ag. Diffuse reflectance spectra in the ultraviolet and visible ranges (UV-Vis) were used to study the optical properties of the deposited thin films. The synthesized Ag₂O/CT composites were direct-gap semiconductors (the optical band gap (E_g) was 0.89 ± 0.02 eV). E_g and refractive indices (n) increased as the aging tests were carried out. Higher E_g and n meant that the composites were a good material for optoelectronic applications. The results showed that, after modification, the structural properties and tear strength of the PET/PVC fabric remained the same while the tensile strength decreased. The same tendencies remained after artificial aging.

Textile fabric deformability during garment wear is a very important property as it influences performance conditions, the wearer’s comfort and the aesthetic view of the garment. Deformation of material in the garment depends on the clothing construction, anatomical features and physical activity of the wearer and garment fit. This paper presents an investigation of knitted fabrics and the deformation of their assembly peculiarities, considering the complex behavior of textile materials during wear using the Y-shaped specimen method. The fabric element partially experienced force affects in respective garment areas. In this case, several deformation types appear at the same type. In our research the special shaped specimen of form “Y” was used to performing the uniaxial tensile test to simulate this phenomenon. According to this method, longitudinal, transversal and angular characteristics describing the deformation of textile materials and their stitched systems were determined. It was found that after the extension indicator of angular deformation has changed the most, the amount of change reached up to 70%. In the Y-shaped knitted specimens, the seam significantly influences the size of the tensile force. Also, the changes of angle indicator, when the specimens are joined with seams, are obvious and reach 50%.