Study on the Pore Structure of Cotton-Like Polyester Knitted Fabrics

Abstract

Porous structure of fabric has a significant impact on the fabric functions such as air permeability, water transport and heat retention. In this article, six knitted fabrics with different blend ratio of cotton-like modified polyester fiber and cotton fiber were prepared. Pore sizes and its distribution of the fabrics were measured by CFP-1100-AI pore diameter tester. Porosity of the fabrics was obtained by three ways respectively, namely loop model method, image method and density method. The results show that the pore diameter of blended knitted fabrics presents an asymmetric distribution, that is, the smaller pores have a greater proportion to the total pores than larger pores. There exists an obvious diameter change in the pore size distribution which indicates the transition from intra-yarn pores to inter-yarn pores. Among the 3 test methods for porosity, the porosity obtained by the image method is much smaller than that of loop model method and density method, but its relationship to the fiber blending ratio is consistent with the variation law of fabric air permeability, which indicates intra-loop pores takes greater impact on air permeability of fabrics. The results of present study can play a theoretical guiding role in comfort property design and product development of cotton-like polyester fabrics.