Volume 16, Issue 2

With the analysis of the industrial economic theory structure – conduct – performance model, the study investigates the existence of significant relationship among market structure, conduct and performance. Twelve Taiwan companies are studied during the study period from 2006 to 2012 which are analysed with fixed effect and random effect of panel data and ordinary least squares estimation. The empirical result backs the statement by “Structuralism” that market structure (market share, entry barrier and capital intensity) directly affects firm conduct (R&D intensity) and performance (ROA).

The present research work was carried out to develop the prediction models for blended ring spun yarn evenness and tensile parameters using artificial neural networks (ANNs) and multiple linear regression (MLR). Polyester/cotton blend ratio, twist multiplier, back roller hardness and break draft ratio were used as input parameters to predict yarn evenness in terms of CVm% and yarn tensile properties in terms of tenacity and elongation. Feed forward neural networks with Bayesian regularisation support were successfully trained and tested using the available experimental data. The coefficients of determination of ANN and regression models indicate that there is a strong correlation between the measured and predicted yarn characteristics with an acceptable mean absolute error values. The comparative analysis of two modelling techniques shows that the ANNs perform better than the MLR models. The relative importance of input variables was determined using rank analysis through input saliency test on optimised ANN models and standardised coefficients of regression models. These models are suitable for yarn manufacturers and can be used within the investigated knowledge domain.

Based on a further study on knitting and jacquard principles, this paper presents a mathematical design model to make computer-aided design of warp-knitted jacquard spacer fabrics more efficient. The mathematical model with matrix method employs three essential elements of chain notation, threading and Jacquard designing. With this model, the processing to design warp-knitted jacquard spacer fabrics with CAD software is also introduced. In this study, the sports shoes which have separated functional areas according to the feet structure and characteristics of movement are analysed. The results show the different patterns on Jacquard spacer fabrics that are seamlessly stitched with jacquard technics. The computer-aided design method of warp-knitted jacquard spacer fabrics is efficient and simple.

The aim of this study was to investigate the flexural behaviours of syntactic foam reinforced by warp knitted spacer fabric (SF-WKSF). Seven kinds of SF-WKSF samples were fabricated by warp knitted spacer fabric (WKSF) with structural parameters including surface layer structures, inclination-angle and fineness of spacer yarns, different microballoons types and contents. The flexural tests were carried out and the bending properties of SF-WKSF were analysed based on the strength and modulus values obtained from the test results. It is indicated that the SF-WKSF shows higher flexural strength and modulus compared to neat syntactic foam with almost no impact on the density of composites. The results also demonstrate that the surface layer structure, inclination-angle of spacer yarns, microballons content and type have significant effects on the flexural responses of SF-WKSF. The composites exhibit better antibending capacities by selecting larger inclination-angle, closer surface layer structure, higher density and relatively higher content of S60HS microballoons.

To achieve the efficiency and specification of the flat-knitted uppers design, the basic patterns of uppers are made from shoe lasts based on the research on the characteristics of human’s feet and wearability requirements on uppers. The knitting technology for half-shaped and fully shaped uppers was formed after the shear deformation of basic pattern and combination with flat knitting technology. As regards to the functional requirements on key parts of uppers, the structures of flat-knitted shaped uppers were intensively analysed and studied, dividing them into two categories (functional structure and decorative structure), discussing the knitting methods and advantages of different structure, and finally experimentally proving that the planar pattern of flat knitted uppers can apply to the design of flat-knitted uppers and achieve the combination of functionality and artistry of sneakers after combining with structural changes, with a great significance on the achievement of the efficient production of uppers and the enhancement of its commercial value.

The study material consisted of two models of protective firefighter footwear. The tests were conducted on subjects in a laboratory using an ergometric treadmill. The parameters of footwear microclimate were continuously recorded using T/RH sensors. For the leather footwear, the highest foot temperature was recorded in the 50th minute of the experiment (35.8°C in the dorsal region and 37.3°C in the plantar region) and for the polymer footwear in the 60th minute of the experiment (35.4°C in the dorsal region and 37.0°C in the plantar region). In the leather footwear, the temperature of the air surrounding the feet rose from 31.0°C to 35.4°C, and then declined, but did not return to the initial level during the rest period. In turn, in the polymer footwear, the temperature rose from 29.0 to 34.7°C, and then decreased to 33.7°C following the rest period. The highest relative air humidity was recorded in the polymer footwear (96.6%), while in the leather footwear it amounted to 91%. Testing the dynamics of the microclimate during footwear use provides complete information about changes in the temperature of the skin of the foot and the temperature and relative humidity of the footwear microclimate.

Biodegradable intravascular stent has attracted more and more focus in recent years as an effective solution for angiostenosis. Ideal stents were expected to exhibit sufficient radial force to support the vascular wall, while suitable flexibility for the angioplasty. After vascular remodeling, stents should be degraded into small molecular and be eliminated from human body, causing no potential risk. In this paper, poly-p-dioxanone (PDO) monofilament was braided into net structure with four different braiding density, two of which exhibited sufficient radial force larger than 30 kPa, and three of which showed the bending rigidity within 11.7–88.1 N•mm 2 . The degradation behaviors of monofilaments and stents have been observed for 16 weeks. The findings obtained indicate that degradation first occurred in morphology region, which induced temporary increase of crystallinity, monofilament bending rigidity and stent mechanical properties. During this period, monofilament tends to be hard and brittle and lost its tensile properties. Then the crystalline region was degraded and stent mechanical properties decreased. All the results reveal that the PDO intravascular stents with braided structure were able to afford at least 10 weeks of sufficient support to the vascular wall.

Single-layered warp knitted fabrics were produced by the 60D/36F (containing 36 filaments) polyester yarn with differential shrinkage (DS) property in this study. Due to the differential shrinkage property, the fabric becomes curly and bulkier, simulating cotton fabric in terms of its appearance and fabric handle. The performance and appearance of these DS polyester warp knitted fabrics were evaluated objectively and subjectively. The testing results demonstrated that the DS polyester warp knitted fabric had better abrasion property, worse pilling resistance due to the mechanical property of polyester yarn when compared with 100% cotton warp knitted fabric. Meanwhile, lower water vapour permeability and air resistance were found for DS polyester warp knitted fabric resulting from the dense structure of yarn shrinkage after heat-moisture treatment. Besides, the fabric handle was evaluated by Kawabata evaluation system and subject to trial under dry and wet fabric condition. DS polyester warp knitted fabrics provide better recovery under low stress mechanical pressure. The subjective evaluation result shows that the warp knitted fabrics made of DS polyester had similar handle against cotton warp knitted fabric in terms of prickle, smooth, comfort and dry feeling in both dry and wet testing conditions.

The main traditional technique for commercial manufacturing of composite pipes is filament winding in which the winding angle and the discontinuity of the structure (caused by starting and ending points of the winding process) are two important matters of concern. In the present study, circular woven fabric with its orthogonal net-shaped continuous structure was produced from polyester yarns. Fabric was wet with epoxy and hand lay-up was used to manufacture the composite pipes. Composite pipes were subjected to internal hydrostatic pressure and their burst strength was recorded. In addition, tensile strength of flat laminas was assessed in the warp and weft directions. We estimated and analysed the failure strength of composite pipes using Tresca’s failure criterion and Finite Element (FE) modeling. The experimental burst strength was almost 23% more than the FE model and 77% more than the theoretical estimate.

Owing to growing demand for comfortable clothes, elastane filament yarns are being used in fabrics for several garments. In this study, core spun yarns were produced with cotton fibres and PBT/elastane filament yarns (cotton as sheath material, PBT yarn and elastane as core yarns). Twill woven (1/3 Z) fabrics were produced by using core spun yarns (30 tex) and cotton yarns (30 tex) as weft, and 100% cotton yarn (59 tex) as warp yarns. The fabrics consisting of PBT were washed at 100°C for 30 minutes to gain the elasticity. The woven fabrics’ weight, thickness, elongation, permanent elongation, dimensional stability, air permeability, thermal conductivity, thermal absorptivity characteristics were tested and statistically evaluated. According to the results, the fabrics containing PBT and elastane filaments had similar elongation and shrinkage values. PBT filament yarns have a great potential to produce lightweight elastic fabrics.