Effects of Laundering on the Surface Properties and Dimensional Stability of Plain Knitted Fabrics

Abstract

The effects of laundering and laundering temperatures on surface properties and dimensional stability are investigated for plain flat knit silk, cotton, and polyester fabrics with varying cover factors. The fabrics are subjected to relaxation processes and an extended series of wash and tumble-dry cycles in laundering baths of various tempera tures. Dimensions, surface friction, and roughness of the fabrics are measured in every process. Changes in dimensional stability and surface properties with relaxation processes and laundering temperatures are clarified. Relations between frictional motion and struc tural parameters are also discussed. The results reveal that the dimensional stability of silk is sensitive to a particular temperature. The highest shrinkage is recorded with slackly knitted cotton at the highest temperature. There is a considerable effect of wet relaxation on dimensional stability as well as surface properties. Silk's coefficient of friction is the highest, and the lowest surface friction for cotton occurs at the highest temperature. Slackly knitted fabrics also show higher friction than tightly knitted fabrics. The coeffi cient of friction has a tendency to decrease with increasing tightness, while the surface roughness shows an opposite tendency. There is a good correlation between stick-slip motion and ribs on the fabrics.

Effects of Laundering and Water Temperature on the Properties of Silk and Silk-blend Knitted Fabrics

“…While the same wash temperature was used as in the study of Quaynor et al [3] some notable differences in approach exist [3]. That is the washing machines used differed (Wascator versus domestic twin tub), as did the rinse temperatures (20°C versus not-specified); fabric type (commercially manufactured fabrics comprised of spun (staple-length) silk versus silk filaments on a hand knitting machine) and drying method (dried flat versus tumble drier) [3]. The effect of the tumble drier and the associated tumbling action on the dimensional stability and distortion of silk fabrics is not known, however it does have a demonstrated effect on the stability of cotton fabrics [24].…”

Effect of repeated laundering and Dry-cleaning on the thermo-physiological comfort properties of aramid fabrics

“…Among the problems listed above, the most common problems faced by the apparel manufacturers include the change in the dimensions of the fabric, which can lead to improper fit of the garment [15,[17][18][19]. The first laundering cycle leads to the maximum change in the physical parameters such as weight, thickness, fabric sett, stretch and recovery properties and dimensional stability, whereas the fabrics subjected to 6 laundering cycles are considered to be the most stable [18,[20][21][22].…”

“…The first laundering cycle leads to the maximum change in the physical parameters such as weight, thickness, fabric sett, stretch and recovery properties and dimensional stability, whereas the fabrics subjected to 6 laundering cycles are considered to be the most stable [18,[20][21][22]. This deterioration of properties is a great concern to the manufacturers, retailers and consumers.…”

Effects on laundering process on pilling characteristic of cotton plain fabric

“…Konu ile ilgili yapılan çalışmalar üç kısma ayrılabilir. Birinci kısımda yıkama işleminin dokuma ve örme kumaşların bazı mekanik özellikleri üzerindeki etkilerinin incelendiği çalışmalar bulunmaktadır [1]- [2]- [3]- [4]- [5]- [6]. Araştırmacılar bu çalışmalarda genel olarak tekrarlı yıkama ve kurutma işleminin kumaşlara zarar verdiklerini ifade etmişlerdir.…”