Effect of softeners and their concentration levels on properties of woollen blanket

Abstract

Blanket fabrics are treated with softeners with an aim to reduce the friction values and to improve the tactile feel of the fabrics. A study was conducted to examine the effects of type of softener and its concentration levels on the physical properties of woollen blanket. Three types of blanket fabrics prepared from 100% Bharat Merino (BM) wool, 100% Chokla wool and 100% Avikalin wool were treated with three types of softener namely cationic, amino silicone or silicone softener using exhaust method. Softener treatment was given at 3 levels i.e. 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% on weight of material (owm) and blanket fabrics were tested for coefficient of static and dynamic friction. Higher dynamic friction coefficient (1.03) was observed for BM and Chokla wool as compared to Avikalin (0.98) wool fabrics. Bending length found to decrease with increasing levels of concentration and no trend was observed for ends and picks per dm and areal density. Regardless of the type of softener, dynamic friction coefficient gets reduced due to application of softeners. The coefficient of dynamic friction initially dropped when the concentration was increased from 0.5 to 1.0%; however, it increased when the concentration was increased to 1.5%. The effect of softener on static coefficient was similar to the effect of softener in dynamic friction. It was observed that silicone softener gave the least coefficients of dynamic and static friction and recommended to use softener at concentration level of 1.0% to get optimum friction values.