Investigation of the Functional Performance Properties and Antimicrobial Behavior of Sports Socks Knitted from Eco-Friendly Materials

Abstract

The material components of the sports sock provide; impact protection, injury avoidance, anti-frictional, absorption and antibacterial properties. The quality of socks can vary depending on many factors. These can be summarized as the type andproperties of the used yarns, knitting conditions and machine properties, finishing method and the used finishing materials andthe form giving operation applied on socks. With the growing demand for more com-fortable, healthier and environmentallyfriendly products, efforts in research and development in the textile industry have focused on the utilization of renewable andbiodegradable resources. This study comprised an experimental investigation to determine the functional performance properties and anti-microbial behavior of socks manufactured using not only traditional cotton or polyester yarns but also yarns made of new kinds of eco-friendly fibers like bamboo. This paper studies the influence of different sports socks compositions on the functional performance properties and anti-microbial behavior of knitted fabrics made of two types of structures ( Rib- Jersey)knitted from elstane yarns with eco- friendly fibers effect. The results demonstrated that all tested properties influenced by bothmaterial and knitted structure parameters. These findings are an important tool in the design of healthy comfortable sports socks.