Browsing by Author "Gunasekera, U"

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item: Conference-Full-text
Biodegradable Composite for Temporary Partitioning Materials
(IEEE, 2020-07) Dassanayaka, D; Hedigalla, D; Gunasekera, U; Edussooriya, C; Weeraddana, CUS; Abeysooriya, RP
Building construction can be considered as one of the indispensable industries in the world. Even though the necessity of the industry is evident, its current practices are not environmentally friendly. Some of the main reasons for this is the usage of unsustainable raw materials such as sand and soil, as well as the usage of harmful non-biodegradable materials such as PVC, asbestos. When considering the applications of raw materials used in the construction industry, nearly 40% of them are used for manufacturing non-load bearing constructions such as partitioning materials. In this research, a method for manufacturing a novel biodegradable movable partitioning material has been discussed. This partitioning material is a composite, created with banana yarn as reinforcement, Poly-lactic acid as the matrix, manufactured using compression moulding technique. Furthermore, two different types of composites were manufactured by changing the yarn laying directions, which are unidirectional and bidirectional. Flexural and impact strength of both types of composites have been tested by varying the weight percentage, the pretension of yarns and processing parameters: moulding temperature and moulding pressure. Finally, several weight percentages, pre-tensioning values, moulding temperatures and moulding pressure values have been suggested in order to manufacture a quality partitioning material.
item: Conference-Full-text
The development of sustainable alternative to neoprene wetsuit fabric
(IEEE, 2020-07) Navodya, U; Keenawinna, G; Gunasekera, U; Edussooriya, C; Weeraddana, CUS; Abeysooriya, RP
This research work is done to produce an environmentally friendly alternative to be used in the manufacturing of wetsuit and other similar products and to assess thermal, mechanical and sustainable aspects in comparison with neoprene wetsuit material. The thermal conductivity measurements show that the developed material insulates better than existing wetsuit material. When considering stretchability, the natural rubber based composite has a slightly higher modulus than the neoprene wetsuit material. The tensile assessment revealed that developed material is stronger than the neoprene material. Lowest thermal conductivity has shown by developed material with higher thickness than neoprene wetsuit material indicating the thickness of material influenced the thermal properties. There is a significant environmental gain for the new material in using natural rubber. The natural rubber wetsuit material is cheaper to produce due to lower prices of natural rubber compared to neoprene. The calendaring method used to produce samples in this report can be automated to overcome drawbacks when scaling up production.
item: Conference-Abstract
Flame retardant synthetic fabrics by low pressure plasma technology
Jayasinghe, Y; Jayaweera, C; Botheju, R; Ariyasinghe, M; Gunasekera, U; Wanasekara, ND
This article focuses on the development of a flame retardant coating for synthetic knitted fabrics using the low-pressure plasma technology. Hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDS)was used to enhance the flame retardant property of the polyester knitted fabrics. The treated fabrics also exhibited hydrophobic properties. The role of oxygen flow rate on flame retardancy and hydrophobicity was investigated by varying the oxygen flow rate from 0sccm to 100sccm. Degree of flammability was determined by the ignition status and flame spread time if ignited. It has been found that at least an oxygen flow rate of 60 sccm was required to stop the ignition of fabrics after exposure time of 5 seconds to the flame. The elemental analysis confirmed the presence of silicon groups on the surface. Durability of coating was determined by subjecting the samples to multiple cycles of washing. It is envisaged that this work on plasma enabled hydrophobicity and flame retardancy will open up new avenues to achieve functional properties on synthetics fabrics.
item: Conference-Abstract
Improving flame retardant properties of pigment printed materials : based on synergism between Zinc Borate and Hexachloroethane
(2017) Weerasinghe, D; Napagoda, A; Fernando, P; Gunasekera, U
Textiles, electrical appliances, automobiles,aircrafts and many other articles used are subjected to rigorous examination now undergoing intense examination and scrutiny for their flammability properties. Flame retardant application plays a crucial protective function in saving life and property by reducing the overall fire risk associated with using highly combustible raw materials in products such as textiles, clothing, composites, plastics etc. Recently, there has been an ever-growing demand for new flame retardant product options; recognizing not only to ensure a favorable sustainable profile but also a durable and cost effective product. Here in, a well-structured study of the impact to flammability of adding Antimony Trioxide and replacements in suitable combinations with Hexachloroethane to pigment print pastes is presented based on the principle of synergism. It was concluded that there is no significant flame retardant effect up to 30 ppm concentration of Antimony Trioxide or Zinc Borate and a good ratio of Zinc Borate to Hexachloroethane is 4:1 to give rise to synergism. It was also found that there is no adverse effect on the properties of the print. Keywords—
item: Conference-Full-text
Investigating the possibilities to produce alginate filaments with locally available seaweeds
(IEEE, 2020-07) Dharmarathne, A; Thilakasinghe, I; Gunasekera, U; Vijayarajah, V; Edussooriya, C; Weeraddana, CUS; Abeysooriya, RP
Alginate is a natural polymer, extracted from brown seaweeds. The study was carried out to extract alginate from brown seaweed namely, Sargassum collected from the coast of Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka. Extraction of alginate was done using an alkaline solution of sodium carbonate. Calcium alginate filaments were produced through wet spinning. Alginate/Clay, Alginate/Sodium Silicate and Alginate/Graphene Oxide blended filaments were prepared by extruding their solution through a syringe having a diameter of 1/8” to a coagulating bath of aqueous calcium chloride. The highest moisture regain for the filaments was obtained when the sodium alginate solution was mixed with graphene oxide. And also, the best values of the tensile strength and elongation at break were obtained when sodium alginate was blended with graphene oxide. The maximum tensile strength and elongation at break obtained by the addition of graphene oxide is 0.56N and 47% respectively. The addition of sodium silicate to alginate produced filaments with the lowest values for both the tensile strength and elongation at break. The addition of clay shows a maximum tensile strength of 0.52N and 27% elongation at break but when the clay content increased filaments show lower tensile strength and higher elongation at break.
item: Conference-Full-text
Modification of Thermal Conductivity of Cotton Fabric Using Graphene
(2015-08-03) Gunasekera, U; Perera, N; Perera, S; Hareendra, Y; Somaweera, L; De Silva, N; Tissera, N; Wijesinghe, R
This paper investigates the possibility to use Graphene coated fabric for thermal conductive purposes. Existing methods of thermal conductivity improvement of textiles require extrusion facilities and the end products are heavy due to insertion of metal wires. By using Graphene Oxide application, these disadvantages can be eliminated. Graphene Oxide was applied onto the fabric using a simple dip and dry method and an exhaustion dyeing method. Then the coated fabric was allowed to react with an aqueous solution of reducing agents. The test results showed that the most suitable method to obtain a significant improvement in thermal conductivity of textiles is to follow an exhaustion dyeing method with reducing agents. The reduction process should be maintained at 700C for 30min duration with the addition of Sodium Hydrosulphide. Exhaust dyed fabric which was treated with reducing agents showed an improvement of 55% in thermal conductivity compared to the uncoated fabric, which is a significant improvement in the thermal conductivity of textiles. In addition to the thermal conductivity values, few related textile properties were tested to evaluate the effect of the Graphene coating on the fabric characteristics.
item: Conference-Abstract
Modification of thermal conductivity of cotton fabric using graphene
Gunasekera, U; Perera, N; Perera, S; Hareendra, Y; Somaweera, L; De Silva, N; Tissera, N; Wijesinghe, R
This paper investigates the possibility to use Graphene coated fabric for thermal conductive purposes. Existing methods of thermal conductivity improvement of textiles require extrusion facilities and the end products are heavy due to insertion of metal wires. By using Graphene Oxide application, these disadvantages can be eliminated. Graphene Oxide was applied onto the fabric using a simple dip and dry method and an exhaustion dyeing method. Then the coated fabric was allowed to react with an aqueous solution of reducing agents. The test results showed that the most suitable method to obtain a significant improvement in thermal conductivity of textiles is to follow an exhaustion dyeing method with reducing agents. The reduction process should be maintained at 700C for 30min duration with the addition of Sodium Hydrosulphide. Exhaust dyed fabric which was treated with reducing agents showed an improvement of 55% in thermal conductivity compared to the uncoated fabric, which is a significant improvement in the thermal conductivity of textiles. In addition to the thermal conductivity values, few related textile properties were tested to evaluate the effect of the Graphene coating on the fabric characteristics.