Improving Thermo-Physiological Comfort of Polyester/Cotton Knits by Caustic and Cellulases Treatments

Abstract

Abstract Cotton is one of the most commonly used fibres for making knitwear. Some of the limitations of pure cotton knits include their tendency to shrink, relatively limited durability, and poor wash and wear properties. In order to overcome these limitations knitwear are also produced from polyester and cotton blends, however, at the cost of reduction in comfort properties. The objective of this study was to improve the thermo-physiological comfort properties of knits made from polyester/cotton (P/C) blends through simple chemical and biological treatments. The specimens of P/C knits were subjected to treatments with caustic soda solutions and the cellulase enzymes. It was found that the air permeability and perspiration management properties of P/C knits can be significantly improved by appropriate caustic treatment. However, the biological treatment with cellulase enzymes is comparatively less effective in making any improvement in the thermo-physiological comfort properties of P/C knits.