Biodeterioration by fungi is among the fastest processes of textile deterioration. Historical textiles, which have already changed by different external factors (light, relative humidity, temperature, impurities in the air) are easier for enzymes to digest. In the present investigation we analysed the changes caused by six different fungal species on cotton fibres. We used artificially aged cotton fabric, inoculated and incubated with single fungal species for 8 or 20 weeks respectively. After incubation we analysed the structure and mechanical properties of the inoculated fabrics by spectroscopic methods (Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and tensile tests. Structural changes in artificially aged specimens were initially slow, but intensified after 20 weeks. Fungi influenced the supramolecular structure and crystallinity, as observed by Raman spectroscopy. Due to depolymerisation of cellulose macromolecules, a carbonyl band occurred in FTIR spectra. Structural changes influenced properties of the fibres and fabrics. Breaks and cracks as well as fibrillation of fibres were observed by SEM. Tensile properties of single threads changed, and tensile elongation in the tensile tests curves decreased.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 512725291