The Effects of Laundering on the Performance of Open-End and Ring-Spun Yarns in Jersey Knit Fabrics

Abstract

Bleached all-cotton and 50/50 cotton-polyester jersey knit fabrics were used for experimental purposes in this study. They were constructed similarly from open-end and ring-spun yarns in sizes 16s and 22s (English cotton count), respectively, with twist multiples suitable for each yarn type. The performance properties of the fabrics were evaluated initially and following 5, 15, and 25 laundering periods by means of a battery of destructive and nondestructive tests. When the physical characteristics of the fabrics composed of open-end-spun yarns were compared with those of ring-spun yarns, the open-end-spun cotton and cotton-polyester yarns in sizes 16s and 22s displayed superior resistance to pilling, slow wickability, and good dimensional stability. Because of the compactness of the open-end-spun yarns, these yarns experienced the least amount of compression and the greatest percentage of recovery. Due to the strength deficiencies of open-end-spun yarns, the cotton and cotton-polyester fabrics produced by this spinning method and composed of sizes 16s and 22s yarns were weaker, with respect to bursting and abrasion, when compared to fabrics constructed from yarns produced by the conventional ring-spinning technique.