Study on Single Jersey Knitted Fabrics Made from Cotton/ Polyester Core Spun Yarns. Part I: Thermal Comfort Properties

Abstract

This study, mainly focused on the effect of core-sheath ratio, twist and stitch length on the thermal comfort properties of single jersey knitted fabrics produced from various ratios (100:0, 80:20 and 60:40) of cotton/ polyester core spun yarns. The Box-Behnken design tool was used to study core-sheath ratio, twist and stitch length on the thermal comfort properties of single jersey knitted fabrics and response surface equations were derived and design variables were optimized. From this study, the findings reveal that the decrease in cotton ratio among the fabrics made from core spun yarns decreases the fabric thickness and hence a more porous structure that results in higher thermal conductivity, air permeability, water-vapour transmission and less thermal resistance. It is also evidenced that, increase in the yarn twist (high) and the stitch length (tight) in the fabric structure makes thicker and less porous fabric which results in higher thermal resistance and lesser thermal conductivity, air permeability and water-vapour transmission.