14—THE GEOMETRY, DIMENSIONAL PROPERTIES, AND STABILIZATION OF THE COTTON PUNTO-DI-ROMA STRUCTURE

Abstract

Dimensional stability of cotton Punto-di-Roma double-jersey fabrics can be attained by either mechanical-relaxation techniques (consecutive laundering and tumble-drying cycles) or chemical treatments (fabric mercerization without tension). Both treatments cause large linear-dimensional changes (shrinkages) leading to the same final stable condition, that is, to a fixed structural-knitted-cell configuration, categorized by unique values of u c and u w. Although, for all practical purposes, the ultimate u-parameters are close to constants, u w is not entirely independent of fabric tightness (K)nor u c of fibre type. They are very similar to those parameters found for wool fabrics prevented from felting. Geometrical fabric thickness is significantly dependent on both the fabric tightness and fibre type. Fabric stabilization is also induced by dry-cleaning (consecutive cycles in perchloroethylene), but the final u c(DC)-parameter is not the same as that found after mechanical or chemical relaxation. The mean ...