Investigation on Thermal Comfort Characteristics of Newly Engineered Yarn Umorfil® Knitted Fabrics

Abstract

This study investigated the thermal comfort properties of knitted fabrics produced from newly engineered Umorfil® yarns and their blends with Tencel®, wool, acrylic and polyester yarns. Single jersey-knitted fabrics were produced with 50/50% blended yarns (Umorfil®/Tencel®, Umorfil®/wool, Umorfil®/acrylic, and Umorfil®/polyester) and with 100% Umorfil® yarn for comparison. In this regard, the thermal comfort properties (thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, thermal absorptivity), air permeability, relative water vapour permeability, water absorbency, and wicking characteristics of these fabrics were measured and evaluated statistically. The results revealed that, 100% Umorfil® and 50/50% Umorfil®/Tencel® fabrics provided better characteristics in terms of thermal conductivity, air permeability, water absorbency, wicking behaviours, and colder feelings for the use of fabrics in hot climate products. It is also suggested that owing to the synergistic effect of these two materials, the blend of Umorfil® with Tencel® enhanced the thermal comfort and liquid moisture transmission capacities of the fabrics.