Hydrothermal Setting of Wool-Polyester Blend Fabrics

Abstract

Hydrothermal setting techniques (setting in the presence of water) were used to stabilize wool-polyester blends to piece dyeing. The resultant dyed and finished fabrics differed in several respects from those that were heat set prior to dyeing. Hydrothermal setting generally produced fabrics that were thinner and smoother than those that were heat set, giving the fabrics a smoother and "cooler" feel. The method used to achieve hydrothermal setting also had a considerable influence on the subsequent properties of the fabrics, particularly the tensile properties. Under the conditions used, the tailoring performance of heat set fabrics was marginally superior to that of the hydrothermally set fabrics, but again the extent of the difference depended on the conditions of setting.