Comfort-related Properties Research Articles

Influence of Linear Density of Polyamide Plating Yarn on the Usage and Comfort Properties of Men’s Cotton Socks

Socks, being a necessary item of clothing, must be comfortable and maintain their quality throughout their life. Therefore, it is very important to select the yarns for their production. Usually, casual socks are made from a high percentage of cotton to ensure softness and comfort, and blended with polyamide to improve fit, durability and shrink resistance. The objective of this study is to compare five groups of black colored cotton calf-length men's socks produced under the same conditions in full plating with different textured polyamide 6.6 multifilament yarns, designated as: 22 dtex f7 × 2, 33 dtex f10 × 2, 44 dtex f13 × 2, 78 dtex f23 × 2, 110 dtex f34 × 2. The influence of the linear density of the polyamide plating yarn on the usage properties of the socks was evaluated by testing abrasion resistance and propensity to surface pilling with the Martindale abrasion and pilling tester, dimensional stability and color fastness to washing, perspiration and rubbing, as well as on comfort-related properties by testing moisture absorption, air permeability and thermal resistance with the Thermal foot manikin system. In addition, the basic physical properties of the socks, consisting of density parameters, mass and thickness were measured, all according to the standardized test methods. The results show that increasing the linear density of polyamide 6.6 yarns (i.e., increasing the amount of polyamide in the socks) has the following effects: increase in mass, thickness and structural change of sock plain knits, increase in abrasion resistance and change in dimensional stability of socks, decrease in moisture absorption, air permeability and thermal comfort of socks. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that when selecting the plating yarn for the production of cotton socks, it is necessary to take into account their linear density and structure, as well as the intended purpose of the socks, their specified comfort and the expected usage quality.

An Analysis of the Performance and Comfort Properties of Fire-Protective Material by Using Inherently Fire-Retardant Fibers and Knitting Structures

This paper investigates the development of fabric materials using several blends of inherently fire-resistant (FR) fibers and various knitted structures. The samples are evaluated with respect to their performance and comfort-related properties. Inherently fire-resistant fibers, e.g., Nomex, Protex, carbon and FR viscose, were used to develop different structures of knitted fabrics. Cross-miss, cross-relief, and vertical tubular structures were knitted by using optimum fiber blend proportions and combinations of stitches. Several important aspects of the fabric samples were investigated, e.g., their physical, mechanical and serviceability performance. Thermo-physiological and tactile/touch-related comfort properties were evaluated in addition to flame resistance performance. An analysis of mechanical performance indicated that the knitted structure has a significant influence on the tensile strength, bursting strength and pilling resistance. The cross-relief structure proved to be the strongest followed by the cross-miss and vertical tubular structures. The FR station suits made from 70:30 Protex/Nomex exhibited the best combination of tensile and bursting strength; therefore, this material is recommended for making a stable and durable station suit. Interestingly, it was also concluded from the experimental study that knitted samples with a cross-relief structure exhibit the best fire-resistance performance. Fiber blends of 70:30 Protex/Nomex and 70:30 Nomex/carbon were found to be optimum in terms of overall performance. The best flame resistance was achieved with Nomex:carbon fiber blends. These results were confirmed with vertical flammability tests, TGA, DTGA and cone calorimetry analysis. The optimization of blend composition as well as knitting structure/architecture is a crucial finding toward designing the best FR station suit in terms of mechanical, dimensional, thermal, thermo-physiological and flame resistance performance.

Taguchi-TOPSIS based optimization of comfort in compression stockings for vascular disorders

Compression stockings/socks are one of the most essential materials to treat vascular disorders in veins. However, the comfort of wearing such stockings over prolonged period of time is a major problem. There is limited research in the area of comfort optimization while retaining the compressional performance. The current work is carried out with an aim to determine the optimum level of the input factors e.g., knitting structure, plaiting yarn linear density and main yarn linear density for achieving desired stretch recovery percentage and thermo-physiological comfort properties of compression socks used in treatment of vascular disorders. Their optimum combination was determined by using Taguchi based techniques for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution i.e., TOPIS. In this study, thickness, areal density, air permeability, thermal resistance, over all moisture management capacity (OMMC), stretch and recovery % were optimized simultaneously by using Taguchi-TOPSIS method. The results showed that linear density of plaiting and main yarn has significant influence on all the comfort related properties for compression stockings/socks. The optimum sample had linear density 20 denier for Lycra covered by 70 denier of nylon 66 in the plaiting yarn. It also suggested 120 denier nylon 66 in the main yarn knitted into a plain single jersey structure. The percentage contribution of the factors i.e., structure, plaiting yarn linear density and main yarn linear density was obtained by using ANOVA which are 7%, 31% and 42% respectively. It is worth mentioning that in case of compression stockings, the main yarn linear density has more significant effect on comfort properties as compared to other independent parameters. The results were verified by experiment, and the accuracy was relatively high (maximum error 8.533%). This study helped to select suitable knit structure with the change of linear densities of plaiting yarn and main yarn for comfortable compression stocking/sock and will fulfill the potential requirement for treatment of venous/vascular disorders. The novel methodology involving TOPSIS method helped in analyzing the cumulative contribution of the input parameters to achieve optimum compression as well as comfort performance. This modern approach is based on contemporary scientific principles and statistical approximations. This study may provide benchmark solutions to complex problems involving multiple interdependent criteria.

Comparison of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Integration into Non-Woven Fabrics Using Different Functionalisation Methods for Prospective Application as Active Facemasks.

The development of advanced facemasks stands out as a paramount priority in enhancing healthcare preparedness. In this work, different polypropylene non-woven fabrics (NWF) were characterised regarding their structural, physicochemical and comfort-related properties. The selected NWF for the intermediate layer was functionalised with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) 0.3 and 1.2wt% using three different methods: electrospinning, dip-pad-dry and exhaustion. After the confirmation of ZnO NP content and distribution within the textile fibres by morphological and chemical analysis, the samples were evaluated regarding their antimicrobial properties. The functionalised fabrics obtained via dip-pad-dry unveiled the most promising data, with 0.017 ± 0.013wt% ZnO NPs being mostly located at the fibre's surface and capable of total eradication of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli colonies within the tested 24 h (ISO 22196 standard), as well as significantly contributing (**** p < 0.0001) to the growth inhibition of the bacteriophage MS2, a surrogate of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (ISO 18184 standard). A three-layered structure was assembled and thermoformed to obtain facemasks combining the previously chosen NWF, and its resulting antimicrobial capacity, filtration efficiency and breathability (NP EN ISO 149) were assessed. The developed three-layered and multiscaled fibrous structures with antimicrobial capacities hold immense potential as active individual protection facemasks.

Antimicrobial activity of comfort related properties of silk treated with herbal extracts in making of reusable masks

The study was aimed at divulging an eco-friendly antimicrobial finish on 100 % silk woven fabric. The leaves’ extract of Azadirachata indica, Butea monosperma and Litche chinensis were used as the development of eco-friendly antimicrobial finish. The antimicrobial property and comfort related property were checked before and after applying antimicrobial finish. In comfort related property absorbency &amp; air permeability were checked. The ASTEM E2149 Shake Flask method was used to check antimicrobial finish and AATCC method was used for checking fabric property. One way ANOVA statistical test was applied for analysis of results. The FTIR and SEM results showed the presences of finish on fabrics. In comfort related property, absorbency and air permeability was increased. The results showed that antimicrobial finish made 100% reduction against microorganism up to 25 washes which can be used in making reusable masks fight against COVID- 19.

Performance analysis of socks produced by auxetic yarns for protective applications

The present work reports application of auxetic yarns in development of abrasion resistant socks which can be used for better serviceability without shoes even on rough surfaces. Socks used in the current research were produced by using helical auxetic yarns which consist of different combinations of high performance and conventional materials e.g. Kevlar P-AR (para-aramid), cotton, elastomeric yarn, polyamide (PA6) and polyester with same linear density of 74 Tex. Three different types of fabrics were produced e.g. flat knit, sandwich half terry short and sandwich half terry long. For investigating the auxeticity, all samples were subjected to tensile loading and the resulting change in their thickness was measured. Abrasion resistance and other comfort related properties e.g. air permeability, vertical wicking and absorbency were also evaluated. The influence of different yarn combinations, twist levels and fabric types on abrasion resistance and breathability of socks were investigated by using fractional (half) factorial design. Statistical analysis was performed for the obtained results by using analysis of variance. Conventional socks samples were also produced in all fabric types for comparison with the auxetic materials. From the results it was concluded that the overall abrasion resistance of auxetic yarn-based sock is higher than conventional cotton sock. Results also revealed that abrasion resistance was increased by 46% in flat knit socks sample, 50% in sandwich half terry short sample and 58% in sandwich half terry long sample as compared to conventional cotton sock. In addition to this all the socks samples exhibited good comfort/breathability properties.

Comfort-Related Properties of Workwear for Employees With Motor Disabilities

Abstract Activisation is very important for motor disabled persons and helps them to integrate with the whole of society. Physically disabled persons face many occupation related obstacles at work, mainly connected with the presence of architectonic barriers and the occupational environment. An important part of the employment process of locomotor disabled workers is the adjustment of work stations to the worker’s needs, providing workwear, rooms and work plant surrounding adaptation. Analysis of workwear available on the market shows that commercial offers do not cover workwear dedicated especially for physically disabled persons. The main goal of workwear design and construction is to provide complex comfort for the user, whose needs and expectations differ from able-bodied employees. In this study the general assumptions of textile material selection for workwear dedicated for locomotor disabled employees are presented, together with the results of tests carried out for selected textile materials.

Comfort-Related Properies of Cotton Seersucker Fabrics

Abstract This work concerns the comfort-related properties of seersucker woven fabrics made of cotton. Seersucker woven fabrics are characterized by alternating puckered and flat strips in the warp direction. Some researchers consider that due to this structure seersucker fabrics are characterized by very good comfort-related properties. In this work seersucker fabrics with differing repeats of the seersucker effect and different weft yarns were investigated in intense heat and high moisture transfer. Results showed that the structural factors significantly influence the comfort-related properties of the investigated cotton fabrics.

Comfort-Related Properties of Double-Layered Woven Car Seat Fabrics

Abstract Seat upholstery fabrics for vehicles are crucial products as technical textiles in motor vehicles make up approximately 15% of the total manufactured technical textiles worldwide and more than 50% of the production belongs to the woven fabrics because of their appropriate properties for this application. The current work presents the comfort-related properties of the woven fabrics designed to be used in automotive seat upholstery. For this aim, double-layered woven fabrics were produced with four different process variables such as bottom layer pattern, number of interlacing warps in a unit report, number of interlacing picks per top warp, and number of weft skips by using Taguchi experimental design. Besides handle related properties, such as circular bending rigidity, surface roughness properties, and thermo physiological comfort related properties that include air permeability, thermal resistance, and moisture management properties were measured and analyzed based on Taguchi experimental analysis.

Thermal comfort properties of cool-touch nylon and common nylon knitted fabrics with different fibre fineness and cross-section

Cool-touch nylon multi-filament yarns with good heat transfer performance are widely used in the development of knitted fabrics for summer and sports clothing. However, the physical properties of cool-touch nylon fibres, and the effect of fineness and cross-section on comfort-related properties of their knitted fabrics are still not well understood. In this study, the physical properties of cool-touch nylon fibres and common nylon fibres, and comfort properties of knitted fabrics from both fibre types were measured and compared. It was found that cool-touch nylon fibres have better moisture absorption, but slightly lower crystallinity than common nylon fibres. Regarding the fibre fineness and cross-section of cool-touch nylon and common nylon, knitted fabrics showed a similar dependence on thermal comfort properties. Cool-touch nylon fabrics had increased wicking capacity, thermal transfer, and cooling properties, but poorer drying performance and moisture permeability compared to common nylon fabrics. It was concluded that using nylon multi-filament yarns made up of finer filaments and cool touch filaments is an effective way to develop thermal-wet comfort knitted fabrics for summer and sports clothing applications.

Investigation of thermal comfort properties of fabrics containing mohair

Mohair is one of the most luxurious and best quality natural fibers. Recent developments focused on expanding the use of mohair in technical and functional textile products. It necessitated the need for an improved understanding of how the usage of mohair in fabrics will impact its thermal comfort related properties. Despite its popularity, little information is available on the quantification of thermo-physiological comfort properties of mohair fabrics. This study investigated the effect of fibrous matter composition and fabric structural parameters on conductive and convective heat transfers to study the thermal comfort properties of mohair fabrics. The results showed that fabric structural properties such as overall porosity, and specifically thickness, played a significant role in determining the thermal comfort properties of the fabrics. Fiber composition had an impact on thermal properties as the fabrics containing mohair or mohair/wool were consistently thicker, providing higher thermal resistance as well as resistance to the free flow of air that allows thermal convection. It may be concluded that the thicker structures of mohair or mohair/wool trap more air, providing higher thermal insulation.

Comparative Analysis of Thermophysiological Comfort-Related Properties of Elastic Knitted Fabrics for Cycling Sportswear.

This research focused on the investigation of the thermophysiological comfort properties of four selected knitted fabrics of different fiber blend ratios suitable for cycling wear. Comfort-related properties of the fabrics were determined and compared including air permeability, moisture management properties, drying time, thermal conductivity, and water vapor permeability. For those comfort properties of the fabric to be correlated, fabric structural properties, fabric density, fabric weight, and fabric thickness have been considered. Suited fabrics should have good air permeability, thermal conductivity, moisture management properties, and a short drying time. According to the measurement results, the fabric polyamide/elasane (58/42 PA6.6/EL) with good air permeability, thermal conductivity, moisture management properties, and short drying time was more suited for summer cycling clothing. Furthermore, this paper provides a new understanding of considerations that are needed for several end uses involving specific activity levels.

Effect of jade nanoparticle content and twist of cool-touch polyester filaments on comfort performance of knitted fabrics

Cool-touch polyester knitted fabrics with excellent thermal-wet and cooling comfort ability are desired for summer and sports clothing. Jade nanoparticle content and twist of filaments have significant effects on comfort-related properties. In this work, the effects of jade content and twist level of two types of cross-section polyester filament on fabric comfort-related properties were investigated in detail. Filaments were prepared and further knitted to fabric samples. The physical performance of polyester filaments, the thermal-wet transfer properties and dynamic cooling property of their fabrics were measured and analyzed. It was found that the jade nanoparticles mainly affected thermal transfer property of fabrics, and the best thermal transfer was exhibited by fabric with 7% cool-touch PET chip. With the increase of twist level, air permeability, water spreading and drying performance improved but thermal transfer ability decreased, and lower twist level of yarns was beneficial for achieving real moisture cooling properties. These results showed a major advance in developing thermal-wet comfort knitted fabrics using cool-touch filaments with appropriate twist level.

Comfort-related properties of the seersucker woven fabrics

Clothing creates a barrier between the human body and surroundings. Dependably on the predestination, it protects the human organism against outer factors dangerous for human health and safety. From the point of view of human health and well-being, the comfort-related properties of clothing are very important. The aim of presented work is to investigate the seersucker woven fabrics in the range of their comfort-related properties and to analyse an influence of the structure of fabrics on their properties. 9 variants of the seersucker woven fabrics were the objects of the investigation. The fabrics were manufactured from cotton yarns. In the experimental fabrics, 3 kinds of repeat of the seersucker pattern and 3 kinds of weft yarns were applied. Measurements of the comfort-related properties of the investigated fabrics have been performed using the following testing devices: Alambeta, Permetest and Moisture Management Tester. Results showed that both structural factors of fabrics: repeat of the seersucker effect and a kind of weft yarn influence the thermal insulation properties of the fabrics being investigated. Especially, the repeat of the seersucker effect influences the thermal conductivity, thermal absorptivity and thermal resistance in the statistically significant way at the probability level p = 0.05.

Moisture Management Properties of Seersucker Woven Fabrics of Different Structure

Moisture management is defined as the controlled movement of water vapour and liquid water (perspiration) from the surface of the skin to the atmosphere through the fabric. The ability of moisture transport is a very important feature of textile materials from the point of view of the physiological comfort of usage clothing made of these materials. Among the different textile materials (woven, knitted and nonwoven), seersucker woven fabric is considered as having good comfort-related properties. The fabrics are characterised by the occurrence of puckered and flat strips in the warp direction. The puckered effect generates air spaces between the body and the fabric, keeping the wearer cool in hot conditions as the puckered area holds the fabric away from the skin during usage. In the work presented, seersucker woven fabrics of different patterns of the puckered strips were investigated. The aim of the work was to analyse the relationship between the structure of seersucker fabrics and their moisture management properties. Measurement of the moisture transport properties of seersucker woven fabrics was made using a Moisture Management Tester M290, produced by SDL Atlas. Investigations performed showed that the properties of seersucker woven fabrics characterising their ability to transfer liquid moisture are different depending on the variant of the repeat of puckered strips.

Investigation of Mechanical and Utility Properties of Two-Layer Cotton Woven Fabrics

Abstract The aim of presented work was to design the cotton woven fabrics which ensure thermal resistance higher than standard cotton fabrics of basic weaves. It was done in order to combine the excellent hygienic properties of cotton fibers with thermal insulation. Three variants of two-face cotton woven fabrics of different structure were designed and manufactured. Next, they were measured in the range of their basic structural, mechanical, and comfort-related properties. The results obtained were analyzed in the aspect of properties influencing the utility comfort of user wearing clothing made of the investigated fabrics.

Correlation between Surface Engineering and Deformation Response of Some Natural Polymer Fibrous Systems

Surfaces of bamboo derived cellulosic fibrous systems have been modified by air-plasma treatment. Their deformational response was studied to establish the relationship between their three-dimensional profile and permanent deformation as a measure of their comfort properties since the fibrous system made of natural polymer comes into contact with the skin. The composite should have a permanent deformation close to zero, in order to be, in terms of dimensions, as stable as possible. By analyzing the area of 1 cm2 using a Universal Surface Tester (UST), different 3D surface diagrams and surface roughness values were obtained. This type of surface investigation provides relevant information about the permanent deformation response of the studied surface, for comfort purposes. The deformation responses and roughness levels were studied (the roughness being the parameter quantifying the 3D geometry of the systems surface). The effect of air-plasma surface modification on the deformation response of bamboo derived cellulosic fibrous systems and optimization of their 3D surface structure to enhance comfort-related properties proved to be substantial. The surface modifications induced by air-plasma treatment are in a good correlation with the mechanical behavior. As expected, the roughness levels of samples studied using ball sensors are higher than those of specimens scanned using a papillary sensor. Knitted polymer fibrous matrix T1 shows a roughness level of 773 μm resulting from analyses using the ball sensor, while using the papillary sensor it was 102 μm, 86.8% less than before. The analysis of the dimensional stability of knitted polymer fibrous systems was performed by scanning with the papillary sensor, since it provides information comparable with human perception concerning the architecture of the sample surfaces.

Influence of Binder Type on Color Characteristics of Cotton Fabric Colored with a Photochromic Colorant

ABSTRACTPhotochromic colorants change rapidly and reversibly from colorless to colored state when activated by ultraviolet radiation. They can be applied on textile substrates with use of organic binders. Different type of binders and their concentration may have a significant effect on color development and other related properties. In this work, a study of the effect of binder type at different concentrations on the color development, wash fastness and some comfort characteristics is undertaken. It was found that while these properties vary with binder type and concentration, the best color development is obtained at an optimum concentration of 5% binder. The presence of binder may affect comfort related properties of the fabrics, such as stiffness, water absorbency, air permeability, sometimes quite adversely. Hence a careful selection of the binder type is needed depending on the most important requirement in the colored fabrics.

Comfort-related properties of seersucker fabrics in dry and wet state

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the seersucker fabrics from the point of view of their ability to ensure the thermo-physiological comfort. It was investigated how the kind of the weft yarn and seersucker structure influence the air permeability and thermal insulation properties of the fabrics.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents the investigations of the typical seersucker fabrics made of the same set of warps and different weft yarns. Fabrics were manufactured on the same loom with two warp beams. Next they were finished by the same way including washing, drying and stabilisation processes. Fabrics were measured in the range of their air permeability using standard test method. Thermal insulation properties of fabrics were measured in dry and wet state by means of Alambeta. Surface topography of the seersucker fabrics was analysed using 3D laser scanning.FindingsOn the basis of the obtained results it was stated that due to the puckered structure the seersucker fabrics are characterised by high thermal resistance, several times higher than the thermal resistance of typical flat woven fabrics. The seersucker fabrics are characterised by very low value of the thermal absorptivity in wet state at the level appropriate for typical flat fabrics in dry state. It confirmed that the seersucker fabrics ensure the physiological comfort. Application of the elastomeric yarn in weft caused significant tightening the fabric structure. It resulted in low air permeability, fabric stiffness and unpleasant hand.Research limitations/implicationsAs a limitation of the investigation of the seersucker fabrics in wet state we can mention the surface topography of the fabrics. It made wetting the fabrics difficult before measuring. It is necessary to elaborate precise procedure of preparation of seersucker fabrics before their testing in the wet state.Practical implicationsPerformed investigations showed that the seersucker fabrics have a big potential to be comfortable. By an appropriate designing of their structure it is possible to achieve very good comfort-related properties even without application of innovative comfort-oriented yarns.Originality/valueThe originality of the paper is based on the fact that the measurement was performed for the seersucker fabrics. The fabrics are characterised by the unique structure which influences their appearance and utility properties. It caused that they are willingly applied in different kinds of clothing. Till now any results of comfort-related properties of such kind of the woven fabrics have not been published.

Characterization of functional single jersey knitted fabrics using non-conventional yarns for sportswear

Eight functional single jersey plain knitted fabrics have been developed in order to assess a quantitative analysis of various comfort-related properties in terms of thermal control, air and water vapor permeability, wickability, coefficient of kinetic friction and antimicrobial efficiency, using eight different commercially available functional yarns: Polyester Craque® and viscose Craque® conventional yarns as controls; Finecool® and Coolmax® polyester yarns for moisture management and quick drying; Holofiber® polyester yarns containing an optical responsive material that the producer claims to improve body oxygenation; Airclo® polyester hollow yarns for efficient control of body temperature; and, finally, polyester Trevira® and viscose Seacell® for antimicrobial activity. According to the results, Coolmax® for moisture management, Airclo® for thermal control and Seacell® for antimicrobial activity present the best performances as technical textiles for sportswear for the respective specific functional property.