Moisture Characteristics of Some Knit Fabrics Made From Blend Yarns 1

Abstract

The moisture responses of plain jersey and 1 X 1 rib fabrics constructed from synthetic fiber-cotton blend yarns have been studied. The fabric responses include water vapor transmission, moisture imbibition, moisture regain, and air permeability. Measurements of the fabric strength and shrinkage are also reported. The fabrics were constructed from 24/1 yarn of cotton-nylon, cotton-polyester, and cotton-acrylic blends in 100/0, 80/20, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60, 20/80, and 0/100 percent. A simplified technique for measuring water vapor transmission through fabric was used to provide a means for com paring the blends. It was found that water vapor is transmitted through single thicknesses of plain jersey fabric faster than through equivalent rib fabrics, and significant increases in water vapor transmission occur as the synthetic com ponent of the cotton-synthetic blend is increased. Even greater relative increases in air permeability were observed with increasing synthetic-fiber content. It was, therefore, concluded that moisture vapor flow through knit fabric occurs almost entirely through the fabric interstices, and the hygroscopic nature of the fibers in the blend plays a minor roll in the moisture vapor transfer through fabric. Thus, it can be expected that garment comfort, at least as correlated with water and air permeability, should not be adversely affected by the addition of synthetic fibers to the blend. Moisture regain, moisture imbibition, and shrinkage decreased as the synthetic fiber content of the fabrics increased.