Textile Technology Publications

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Textile Technology Publications

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    Performance characteristics of local and imported sanitary pads.
    (Zimbabwe Journal of Science & Technology, 2014) Nyoni, A.B.; Nkiwane, L.; Gonde, P.; Sibanda, P.
    A comparative study of Zimbabwean manufactured and imported sanitary pads was carried out in order to elucidate the performance characteristics that make them popular with the majority of women. Five different types of the most popular imported and locally made sanitary pads that were determined by a preliminary questionnaire survey were selected and their performance characteristics, that is, absorbency, liquid retention and strike through properties determined. The results show that imported sanitary pads are preferred by Zimbabwean women (47%) due to their performance characteristics such as comfort, odour control, size, absorption, sticking of adhesive, packaging and protection of strike through. Women using local products account for 39% of the sample population and those using both imported and local products 14% and a significant number of women in rural areas (72%) are still using alternative methods due to the prohibitive costs of modern methods of sanitary protection.
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    Development of a low cost re-usable microfibre sanitary pad.
    (Science and Engineering Publishing Company, 2014-07-04) Chakwana, C.; Nkiwane, L.
    Menstrual hygiene management is a big problem for women and girls in Zimbabwe as the sanitary pads are expensive. An average pack of 8-10 at $ US1. 50 is significantly expensive for females coming from low income families, which has caused women and girls to resort to unhealthy ways such as using grass and cow dung for managing their menstruation, which exposes them to infections. The aim was to develop a low-cost re-usable microfibre sanitary pad with good performance properties and low cost maintenance, affordable to poor women. The design was based on the Johnson and Johnson re-usable (a rectangular shape) sanitary pads. The new re-usable pad was developed from polyester microfibre materials. It has a pocket for an insert of another material that will enhance the collection of blood. The developed pad was tested for wicking, leakage and strike through properties. The newly developed pad exhibited better properties and yet cheaper than the commercial disposable pads.
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    Development and Characterisation of a Nanocomposite Membrane Using Polyethersulphone and Graphene Oxide-Magnetite Nanoparticles for Rejection of Chromium Hexavalent Ions from Tannery Wastewater
    (2018) Gadlula, S.; Ndlovu, L.N.; Ncube, L.K.
    Polyethersulphone (PES) polymer blended with Graphene Oxide (GO) and magnetite ( nano-composite was synthesized using an immersion precipitation process for the filtration of chromium hexavalent ions from leather processing waste water. PES is a synthetic polymer with good chemical resistance, wide pH range (2-13) as well as good mechanical and thermal properties. However, it is hydrophobic and prone to fouling hence its limitations in aqueous separation processes. In order to improve hydrophilicity, porosity, permeability and strength properties of the polymeric membrane, GO was synthesized from coal via a modified Hummers Method and then blended with anhydrous ferrous chloride to form Graphene oxide/ magnetite () hybrid nano-particles. To assess the performance of the membrane pure water flux, Equilibrium Water Content (EWC) and tensile strength test was measured. Structural analysis involved porosity measurement. The filtration efficiency of the membranes was found by testing the waste water for chromium ion concentration before and after filtration. It was established that both the physical properties and chromium ion rejection improved with increase in polymer concentration and addition of hybrid nano-particles.