Influence of moisture management finish on comfort characteristics of microdenier polyester knitted fabrics

Abstract

Moisture management property is an important aspect of any fabric meant for apparels, which decides the comfort level of that fabric. Every human being sweats during different kinds of activities. An important feature of any fabric is how it transports this water out of the body, so as to make the wearer feel comfortable. Through this research work an attempt has been made to study the influence of material variables and laundry performance on the various comfort characteristics of Moisture Management Finished (MMF) knitted fabrics. Thermal comfort and moisture management behavioral comfort of MMF knitted fabrics have also been studied. In order to study this influence five different knitted fabrics made from 150 denier polyester filament yarns containing 34, 48,108, 144 and 288 filaments were analyzed for wetting, vertical wicking, moisture vapor transmission and drying rate. In order to study this effect micro denier polyester filament yarn of 150 denier containing 108 filaments was taken. In order to study this effect, the MMF knitted fabrics were subjected to different laundering cycles. In order to study this effect, five types of yarns namely micro denier polyester, spun polyester, polyester / cotton, filament polyester and 100% cotton were taken and converted to knitted fabrics. Comparing the five selected fabrics, it was seen that micro denier polyester fabrics with its high wicking action and quicker moisture evaporation had given a superior performance with respect to comfort characteristics. The influence of MMF on thermal comfort characteristics of knitted fabrics made from five different yarns was analyzed in order to know the level of performance of micro denier polyester knitted fabrics among the selected fabrics. Comparing the selected fabrics, micro denier polyester fabrics with higher thermal conductivity values, lower thermal resistance and higher water vapor permeability exhibited better moisture transport and higher breathability with respect to thermal comfort characteristics. newline newline newline