Effect of surface treatment and knit structure on comfort properties of wool fabrics

Abstract

The comfort properties of the pique and single jersey knitted wool fabrics were investigated using the Wool ComfortMeter (WCM). The fabrics were knitted in three cover factors and treated with either plasma or a silicone softening agent and were compared with untreated fabrics. Plasma treatment did not show significant effects on the comfort value. However, silicone polymer significantly reduced WCM values suggesting that the silicone coating reduced the number of protruding fibres on the fabric surface. Regardless of treatment used, pique fabrics showed a lower WCM value, and therefore were perceived to be more comfortable than the single jersey structure. While the effect of cover factor was not significant, in fitted model to predict the WCM value of fabrics, mass/unit area and fabric thickness were significant predictors along with fabric structure and finishing treatment.

Predicting comfort properties of knitted fabrics by assessing yarns with the Wool ComfortMeter

“…Fabric comfort evaluation was carried out on the back of the sample in a random order each time at standard condition (Naebe, Lutz, McGregor, Tester, & Wang, 2013). The average and standard deviation (SD) of the five test samples was determined for each fabric.…”

“…Mass per unit area and fabric thickness was determined at standard conditions as described previously (Naebe, Lutz, et al, 2013).…”

Influence of dielectric barrier discharge treatment on mechanical and dyeing properties of wool

“…The tensile force and the tear strength of wool specimens were measured after the DBD plasma treatment (figure 9). The plasma treatment significantly improved the tensile strength of the wool specimens in both the warp and the weft directions, due to an increased amount of contact points and the breaking of chemical bonds in the outermost layer of the wool fiber [38,39]. The treated wool specimens obtained a loss of tear strength in regard to the treatment time.…”

Effect of pattern elements of weft knitting on haptic preferences regarding winter garments

“…18 In further research, characteristics for good hand values were found to be “good tensile recovery, appropriate flexibility, dimensional properties, fullness, and softness.” 34 Using pique and single jersey knits, the effects of surface treatments were analyzed, showing that silicone treatments were more effective than plasma treatments and that pique knits were generally perceived as more comfortable, regardless of the treatment. 52…”

“…4,21 Several studies specialized in the evaluation of knitted fabrics. 4,6,7,[9][10][11][12][13]18,20,23,27,34,36,37,45,50,[52][53][54][55][56][57] Factors that have been shown to influence the haptics include materials and yarns, 4,9,10,53,54,56,57 stitch patterns, 9,10,18,23,34,36,37,52,54,55 the processing or finishing stages, and surface treatment or laundering. 4,20,27,50,52 For example, one study has analyzed the effects of different yarn types, showing that compact yarn leads to better performance properties than ring yarn.…”