The driving force for the fiber development, especially in past two
decades has been ever increasing application for natural material in
non-conventional sector such as automotive components, medical textile,
protective textile, geo-textile etc. These applications bring out the excellent
performance such as heat reduction, comfortness, soft handle, breathable and
biodegradable properties of the natural materials.
The work focuses on the comfortness of automobile seating made out of
natural and bio- degradable materials through introducing natural materials for
improving the seating comfort and the riders seating posture. Todays
automobile manufactures seek more seating comfort for their customers in terms
of reduction in body temperature, by providing anti bacterial base to control
the bacteria generation through body perspiration, improving ergonomics of the
seat and care of health.
Bamboo possesses a property called "Bamboo Kun"
which means that it is naturally anti-microbial. Even after fifty washes, bamboo
fabrics retain their anti-fungal, anti-bacterial nature. This makes it suitable
for those sensitive to allergens and helps to reduce body odor, without the
risk of allergic reaction sometimes associated with exposure to the chemicals
used to give other materials similar properties. Bamboo fabric even has an
inherent UV protection factor. They resist wrinkling and have passed
flammability requirements without the addition of formaldehyde (a carcinogen),
which is added to polyester/cotton blend fabrics to give them those qualities.
Bamboo fiber has particular and natural functions of anti-bacteria,
bacteriostatic and deodorization. It is validated by Japan Textile Inspection
Association that even after fifty times of washing bamboo fiber fabric
still possesses excellent function of antibacterial. Its test result shows over
70% elimination rate after bacteria being incubated on bamboo fiber fabric.
Bamboo fibers natural anti-bacteria function differs greatly from that of
chemical antimicrobial as later causes skin allergy. Bamboo fiber has ability
to breathe and posses coolness. The cross-section of the bamboo fiber is filled
with various micro-gaps and micro-holes; it has much better moisture absorption
and ventilation. It can absorb and evaporate human sweat in a split second.
According to authoritative testing figures, apparels made from bamboo fibers
are1-2 degrees lower than normal apparels in hot summer. It can also kill
odor-causing bacteria that live on human skin, making the wearer and his or her
clothing smell sweeter. It is 3-4 times more absorbent than cotton. It
'wicks' away moisture from the body, which then evaporates, keeping the wearer-
naturally - drier and more comfortable.
Anti-bacteria: 3 times effect than cotton products.
Anti-static: 12 times effect than cotton products
Hygroscopic: 60% improvement in comparison with cotton products
Deodorization: 30 % improvement in comparison with cotton products.
VETTIVERA (ANDROPOGON MURICATUS)
In India, the vetiver root have been
used since ancient times for making woven screens, mats, blinds, hand fans,
broom hangers, and baskets. When sprinkled with water and hung at the proper
ventilating space, such materials provide cooling effect and pleasant aromatic
air. They are also used on automobile rooftops to provide a cooling effect.
Fig: Vettivera
