Abstract
Liquid transport in textile fabrics determines thermal comfort during high physical activity of a person when liquid perspiration is produced and needs to be transferred away from the skin to keep the thermal balance. In this investigation, an attempt was made to get some indications of how the combination of the fabric composition, geometry and dimensional stability, and the moisture content influences liquid transfer properties of plain weft knitted fabrics. Therefore, the knitted fabrics made from pure hydrophilic (hemp fibres), pure hydrophobic (acrylic fibres) and a hydrophilic/hydrophobic (hemp/acrylic) fibre blend underwent a trial wear and care period. The Malden Mills water distribution test was performed for the knitted fabrics with different moisture contents (0-30 %) in order to evaluate the effect on liquid transfer properties. Water transfer ability and water holding capacity of the knitted fabrics were also determined after undergoing the wear trial test. The obtained results were analysed with respect to macro and micro scales of porosity of knitted fabrics. It has been shown that the geometric configuration of the complex porous network in knitted fabrics influenced their liquid transfer properties in the whole moisture content range regardless of the composition. Despite the reconfiguration of the pore system in the knits during the trial period, their liquid transfer properties were still dependent on the pore size and distribution.
Highlights
Liquid transport in textile fabrics is a critical factor that affects wet treatments of fabrics, filtration properties of medical and industrial textiles, and thermophysiological comfort of apparel
Supposing that in the wet relaxation procedure the yarns were released from tension, which was imposed on them during knitting [54], changes in construction characteristics of the knitted fabrics exposed to the wear trial test can be attributed to two simultaneous but opposing processes occurring in the course of the wear and care cycles
The results obtained showed that the geometric configuration of the complex porous network in knitted fabrics influenced the water transfer ability and water holding capacity in the whole moisture content range regardless of the composition
Summary
Liquid transport in textile fabrics is a critical factor that affects wet treatments of fabrics (dyeing and finishing), filtration properties of medical and industrial textiles, and thermophysiological comfort of apparel. To achieve improved moisture absorption and release properties of polyester fabrics, profiled polyester fibres have been developed [7,8,9] Good performance of textile fabrics in absorbing, transferring and dissipating moisture can be achieved by blending hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibres. In transient (non steady-state) wear conditions when liquid perspiration occurs and have to be rapidly managed by the fabric, the process of wicking competes with the process of liquid absorption by hydrophilic fibres or spreading of the liquid if the fabric is hydrophobic. Competition between these two phenomena continues until the steady-state rate of liquid regain and liquid transfer is achieved. In this study an attempt was made to investigate the liquid transfer properties of knitted fabrics having up to 30 % moisture accumulated
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