Wicking behaviour of fibres, yarns and fabrics

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the wickability and other mechanical properties of advanced manmade cellulosic fibres such as tencel, modal, bamboo and viscose, yarns produced from viscose with different linear densities, twist levels and tension levels and fabrics produced with different pick densities and structures. In addition, mulberry and tasar silk fabrics were investigated for changes in colour strength, mechanical properties and wickability following photo degradation. The effects of scouring, bleaching and mercerization on the wickability of fabrics have been examined. Thus twenty eight polyester viscose blended yarns, fifty five viscose staple yarns and fifty three fabric samples were tested for wickability. Mechanical properties of fibres, yarns and fabrics were evaluated by using Instron and other testers and wickability was determined by a wicking tester which was specially fabricated. The results show that, of all the advanced cellulosic fibres examined, tencel showed the maximum wickability. Twist had a significant effect on the wickability of viscose spun yarns. Tension imposed also showed a significant effect on wickability in that higher the tension, lower the wickability. Linear density was found to affect wickability in the sense that wickability was found to be higher for coarser yarns and lower for finer yarns. In the case of polyester viscose blended yarns, the greater the viscose component, the higher the wickability. Twist also was found to affect the wickability of blended yarns. Thus in order to derive maximum comfort from the fabric, it is most essential to control twist, tension and linear density of the yarns.