Influence of Surface Modification, Fabric Structures and Stitch Length on Physico-Mechanical and Comfort Properties of 100% cellulose based Knit Fabric

Abstract

Most of the fabric properties of knitted fabric could be controlled by stitch length and fabric structures. Stitch length is the principal fabric parameter for knitted fabric. This study investigated the effect of surface modification, stitch length and fabric structures on the fundamental fabric properties of knitted fabric. In this study, three different stitch lengths (2.6, 2.65 and 2.7 mm) and two different fabric structures were used for producing the samples, keeping the yarn count and other machine parameters similar. While comparing the properties between the different stitch lengths and fabric structures, the different physical properties of fabric were examined, like stitch density (CPI, WPI), GSM, bursting strength, thickness, shrinkage%, spirality and comfort properties of fabric like air permeability and water vapor transmission rate. The results showed that all the fabric parameters were directly affected by stitch length and the fabric structures. The fabric WPI, CPI, GSM, thickness and bursting strength decreased with the increase in fabric stitch length (2.7 <2.65 <2.6 mm) and the presence of tuck loops and miss loops in the single jersey (SJ) derivatives. The fabric spirality, shrinkage and air permeability increased with the increase in fabric stitch length and the presence of tuck loops and miss loops in the fabric structures. Fabric stitch length and fabric structures have no significant effect on the water vapor transmission rate.