An Experimental Study of Some Comfort-related Properties of Cotton—Acrylic Knitted Fabrics

Abstract

The interaction of water with fabrics, which incorporates water vapor permeability, wicking abilities and drying behaviors of the fabrics, are tested to obtain some comfort-related properties of fabrics from cotton, acrylic and cotton—acrylic blends. The effects of categorical variables such as fiber composition, yarn count and tightness on the comfort properties are tested. Results of the experimental study show that the transfer and longitudinal wicking abilities of fabrics increase with the use of coarse yarns while the drying rates increase with the use of comparatively finer yarns. Furthermore, both longitudinal and transfer wicking abilities as well as drying rates of the fabrics studied increase with the increase in the acrylic fiber ratio within the composition.