Synergistic effects of chemical finishing processes on comfort characteristics of micro-modal and lyocell knitted fabrics

Abstract

AbstractCurrently besides the hand, color, structure and construction, the comfort characteristics of fabrics have become remarkable issues especially for intimate wear. Therefore, in this study, the synergistic effects of the antibacterial and wicking finishing processes on the comfort characteristics of the seamless knitted fabrics made of regenerated fibers, i. e. micro-modal and lyocell, were investigated and the effects of the lycra incorporation on the fabric structure was also explored. For the evaluation of the comfort properties, the seamless fabric samples were investigated in terms of vertical wicking capacity, transfer wicking, water vapor permeability and drying rate with the relevant textile material test methods. The statistical analysis was performed on the data obtained from the experimental work using Minitab and SPSS package programs. The incorporation of lycra into the fabric structure was found to reduce the vertical wicking capacity, transfer wicking and water vapor permeability of the fabric samples, mainly owing to the alterations it caused in the structure of the fabric by decreasing the porosity, affecting the pore distribution thoroughly and increasing fabric thickness and stitch density. Moreover, the lower wicking ability and water vapor permeability were determined as the factors of the decrease in the drying rates of the lycra incorporated fabric samples. The application of finishing treatments was shown to increase the vertical wicking capacity due to the capillary effect that might have been caused by the cracks and damages that were likely to occur on the surface of the cellulosic fibers during the wicking and antibacterial finishing treatments, whereas they were shown to decrease both the water vapor permeability and drying rate due to the reduction in the interfiber gaps caused by the coated surface of the fibers and the yarns, and the fiber-like structures on the fiber surface. On the other hand, according to the findings, the fiber type was found to have no significant effect on the vertical wicking capacity, transfer wicking, water vapor permeability and drying rate of the fabric samples. Finally, to select the best fabric alternative for the intimate wear, the hybrid AHP-TOPSIS approach was utilized.