Physical and Mechanical Properties of Selected School Uniforms in Akure Metropolis, Nigeria


Abstract


School uniforms of both pre and post-primary schools of selected ones in Akure metropolis, Nigeria, were investigated and analyzed by standard methods to evaluate their physical and mechanical properties in relationship to the suitability and comfortabililty of the pupils. The results gave useful indications of the differences that exist in their properties. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of the uniform tested have satisfactory textile properties as wearing apparels in terms of hard wearing, easy care, comfort appearance, and moderate tensile strength; while the rest are extremely poor that needs to be modified, possibly during fabric production processes for better end use properties. However, all the School uniforms samples showed good fastness properties to both wet and dry treatments.


Key words: Fabrics, fastness properties, mechanical properties, student, school uniform


Introduction


The textile material (uniform) worn by pupils of pre and post-primary (Secondary) Schools in Akure metropolis, Nigeria are of different nature (texture), shades, appearance, and quality, sown in different styles as dictated by their Schools' Management/Authority. These various shade of uniform pilled all over, torn and dirty within a short-while of use by the students and these made the populace to complain of them. The end use of these textile materials depend greatly on the physical and mechanical properties of the type and assemblages of the fibres (structures of both yarns) within fabrics. The properties of a fabric are influenced by kind of raw materials used and the manufacturing processes through which it has been produced.


Today, end users' preferences for clothing are expected to meet all requirements related to comfort, drape, handle, and easy care as well as performance. In this present study, attention is focused on some of the School uniform worn by students of different Schools in Akure metropolis vis--vis to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of the materials, their suitability and comfortabililty. The study was done by assessing the fabric themselves.



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About the Authors:


Adetuyi, A.O is with Organic-1 Division, Natural Products Laboratory, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, A.P., India and Akinbola, O.A is in Department of Industrial Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.


Originally published in Journal of the Textile Association: March-April 2009