Comfort and Functional Properties of Far-Infrared/Anion-Releasing Warp-Knitted Elastic Composite Fabrics Using Bamboo Charcoal, Copper, and Phase Change Materials

Abstract

Elastic warp-knitted composite fabrics with far-infrared emissivity and an anion-releasing property were prepared using bamboo charcoal (BC), copper (Cu), and phase-change material (PCM). The functional composite fabric, which was composed of self-made complex yarns with various twisting degrees and material composition, were created using a rotor twister and ring-spinning technique. The fabric structure was diversified by the feeding modes of weft yarn into a crochet-knitting machine. The twist number of complex yarns was optimized by tensile tenacity, twist contraction, and hairiness, and analysis showed that twisting at 12 twists per inch produced the highest tensile tenacity and appropriate twist contraction and hairiness. Comfort evaluation showed that the elastic composite fabrics with BC weft yarns exhibited higher water-vapor transmission rate and air permeability, reaching 876 g/m 2¨d ay and 73.2 cm 3 /s/cm 2 , respectively. Three structures of composite fabric with various weft yarns had >0.85 ε far-infrared emissivity and 350-420 counts/cm 3 anion amount. The prepared elastic warp-knitted fabrics can provide a comfortable, dry, and breathable environment to the wearer and can thus be applied as health-care textiles in the future.

The Influence of Fiber Cross-Section on Fabric Far-Infrared Properties

“…Far-infrared radiation (FIR), as an environmentally friendly and sustainable energy source, can be utilized in many functional textiles to provide not only thermal comfort but also thermal therapy [1,2,3,4]. According to the annual research and consultation report, a huge commercial market of FIR textile products is emerging, which is expected to explode in the near future.…”

Weaving carbon fiber/recycled polypropylene selvages to reinforce the polymer‐based protective composite fabrics: Manufacturing techniques and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness

“…Such a result is ascribed to the specific diameter of the GF or the CF (the core layer). The study by Li et al showed that the twist number changed as a result of the variations in the rotary speed, and when the yarns finally reached a firmly compact structure as a result of the continuously increasing rotary speed, their diameter then remains the same without significant differences.…”

Manufacturing techniques and property evaluations of sandwich-structured composite materials with electromagnetic shielding, flame retardance, and far-infrared emissivity

“…The International Oeko-Tex Association has developed the Sustainable Textile Production (STeP), which authenticates enterprises that meet environmental regulations and corporate social responsibility [1]. On the other hand, people have more demands for textiles, asking for multiple functions, such as electromagnetic shielding [2–5], far-infrared (FIR) emissivity [6], antibacterial [7–9], moisture absorbing [10], flame retardant [11], sound absorbent [12], and thermal insulating [13–15] properties. Textile products are indispensable and commonly used as garments and furnishings in our daily life, as well as for industrial purposes.…”