Abstract
This research studies the effect of softener treatment on plain jersey fabrics properties made of cotton and spandex yarn. Samples with 100% cotton yarns, spandex yarns in alternating courses (half plating) and spandex yarns in every courses (full plating) were produced on a circular knitting machine where the two latter cases were produced at five different levels of spandex extension. After dyeing process, fabrics were treated with fabric softener using two softener types (cationic and silicon) and all type two concentrations (3%, 6%) to evaluate the most appropriate softener type and concentration on fabric friction force, sewing needle penetration force and weight loss % under different level of spandex extension. Results showed that silicon softener treatment results in high decreases in fabric sewing needle penetrating force, friction force and while treatment with cationic softener results in high decreases in weight loss % for 100% cotton, half and full plating fabrics.
Highlights
Fabric damage is one of knitted fabrics defects which occur during sewing process as shown in figure 1
The aim of this research is to compare between the effects of two different softener types at different concentrations on the properties of both plain jersey fabric produced from 100% cotton yarns and from cotton/spandex yarns with different stitch density
We find that the decrease percent with softener B is equal softener A for 100% cotton fabric while the decrease percent with softener B at concentration 6% better than softener A for half and full plating fabrics
Summary
Fabric damage is one of knitted fabrics defects which occur during sewing process as shown in figure 1. Knitted fabrics are treated with fabric softeners applied in the final finishing stages in order to improve fabric performance during sewing process, to improve fabric handle and the appearance and to increase fabric life time. Softeners act as fiber lubricants which reduce the coefficient of friction in between fibers, in between yarns and in between fabric and other surfaces reduce the sewing needle penetration force during sewing which in turn increase needle life time and reduce needle temperature especially when sewing fabric made from manmade fibers at high sewing speed [1]. There is a growing need to study the effect of softeners when spandex yarns are used in the production of knitted fabric which results in high increase of stitch density. The aim of this research is to compare between the effects of two different softener types at different concentrations on the properties of both plain jersey fabric produced from 100% cotton yarns and from cotton/spandex yarns with different stitch density
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