Investigation of the effect of myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites L.) extract on some mechanical properties of fabrics

Textile products have the most direct relationship with the human body after food products. Dye residues and chemicals on our clothes can penetrate our bodies through sweating and respiration which affects our health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the extract obtained from Euphorbia myrsinites L. on various mechanical properties of fabrics and to find natural alternatives to currently used chemicals to improve these properties. In the study, an extract was obtained from the dried E. myrsinites samples by the decoction method. The extract was applied to various fabrics to determine the most suitable fabric, and a sample fabric was produced. The friction fastness, touching, flammability, crease resistance, and abrasion resistance tests were performed on the produced sample and standard fabrics. As a result of the study, it was revealed that the sample fabric produced using Euphorbia extract outperformed the standard fabric in wet and dry friction fastness, crease resistance, and mechanical friction resistance tests. It also reached the desired levels of toughness, density, and smoothness in the touching test. The fabric ignited approximately 13-14 seconds in flammability tests, and this result was considered positive as the criterion for these tests performed in advanced laboratories is 10 seconds. Based on the findings of this study, it can be suggested that fabrics which do not wrinkle, wear out quickly, or burn easily can be produced by using Euphorbia extract instead of chemicals that are harmful to health.