The use of synthesized natural starches for the sizing process in fabric production is primarily an environmental contribution. Synthesized corn starch is environmentally friendly and productive, showing good results in cotton yarn sizing. Acrylamide (AA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were applied for the grafting process of corn starch, and the initiators azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), potassium persulfate (KPS), and benzoyl peroxide (BP) were chosen to form the grafted monomers more effectively. The application of synthesized corn starch has been confirmed, especially with the AIBIN initiator in the grafting process of HEMA onto starch. The FTIR analysis confirmed that new and efficient products for sizing cotton yarns based on natural raw material (corn) were developed. The research showed that the synthesized corn starch improved physical-mechanical yarn properties and abrasion resistance and reduced yarn surface hairiness. Ultrasonic desizing of yarn and the use of a lower size concentration led to better results than desizing by washing, and the Tegewa numbers confirmed that the desizing process was successful.

The objective of this research was to verify the feasibility of the use of newly synthesized biopolymer materials for sizing cotton yarns based on the basic principles of chemical modification. Research included acid hydrolysis of potato starch up to controlled molar masses together with graft-polymerization and methacrylic acid onto hydrolyzed starch to improve hydrophilicity and solubility, to increase the capability of film forming, to increase adhesive potential and to avoid retrogradation phenomena. Research objectives were primarily focused on finding an appropriate, environmentally-friendly and productive sizing agent for cotton yarns via the analysis and systematization of a large number of synthesis methods in conjunction with the characterization and properties of graft-copolymers. The research results showed that potassium persulfate initiator was most efficient in grafting of methacrylic acid onto hydrolyzed starch, while azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBIN) initiator was most efficient in grafting of acrylic acid (AC). FTIR analysis confirmed that new and efficient products for sizing cotton yarns from synthetized potato starch were obtained. Research on rheological properties of copolymers shows a higher viscosity of grafted products indicating the good stability of potential starches. Ecological improvements have been established through high desizing degree as well as improvements in physical-mechanical properties of yarn, abrasion resistance and decrease in yarn surface hairiness were noticed. The use of new derivatives of potato starch, especially of hydrolyzed starch grafted with methacrylic acid (MAA), potassium persulfate (KPS) as initiator, was confirmed. Anova statistical analysis determined the influence of the entire sizing process on individual yarn parameters.

Synthesis and characterization of copolymer obtained by grafting acrylamide onto hydrolyzed potato starch and its application in cotton yarn sizing were presented in this work. Some process parameters of starch hydrolysis and grafting, like as hydrolysis yield, grafting yield, grafting percentage, graft efficiency, and monomer to polymer conversion were determinated. Molar mass values of hydrolyzed starch and copolymer samples are located in a narrow range of 1 × 10⁵ to 1 × 10⁷ and 1 × 10² to 1 × 10⁴. Grafted hydrolyzed starch, as a sizing agent, gives better results than nongrafted, particularly in terms of sizing uniformity, yarn mechanical parameters, and easier removal in subsequent desizing process.

The role of automotive textile materials is of great importance and therefore this paper analyses the properties of such materials – airbag fabrics and upholstery fabrics. Fundamental characteristics and construction parameters of airbag fabrics and artificial leather with bonded textile fabric on the back side, as well as joining (sewing) and quality of joining places of cut parts are crucial for durability, comfort and aesthetics of the automotive interior design, and therefore were analysed. Airbag fabric specificity and extreme values of several parameters are achieved by manufacturing process, with extremely high densities in the warp and weft direction, resulting in a great strength and air permeability properties of very low level. The most important parameters for upholstery fabrics (artificial leather) durability are breaking force and elongation at break, and they were tested in different circular directions. Tests showed the direction with greater breaking properties, what is of paramount importance.

The subject of the paper focuses on the effect of weave architecture on microbial barrier properties of woven fabrics or more precisely on identifying crucial elements of weave architecture that dominantly influence bacteria penetration in dry condition. For that purpose, 12 samples of cotton fabrics were woven and examined. In their structure, all samples had the same yarns (36 tex) in warp and weft, same densities of warp (24 yarns/cm), two weft densities (24 and 20 yarns/cm) and six different basic weave structures. Microbial barrier permeability was determined according to a previously developed test method in cooperation with University Hospital Center Zagreb. Bacterial endospores of apathogenic species of the genus Bacillus: Geobacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus atrophaeus were used. The effect of weave pattern on microbial barrier properties was significant. Weave patterns, decisively determined the number of influencing pores and its sizes in woven fabrics, as well as the yarn floating which jointly almost perfectly correlated with bacteria penetration through the woven fabric. Multiple linear regression of pore numbers and floating threads produced equations which correspond in 99% to the measuring results for densities 24/24 and 24/20, and more than 98% considering both densities of the set. Among compared weave patterns, satin weave had significantly lower permeability of microorganisms (six–seven times) than basket weave (the highest), for both densities.