Investigations of stretch and recovery properties of knitted socks

Abstract

Knitted fabrics are renowned for stretch properties which owe to their comfort properties such as formability, fitting to the human body and shape retention after wearing. Optimum stretch is basic requirement in knitted socks to support blood flow in legs and feet. This stretch is achieved with fabric structure type and material used in it. Different factors affect the stretch and recovery of sock, but most contributing factors are elastane percentage, main yarn material and finishing process type. Four different percentages of elastane in plaiting (4%, 6%, 8% and 10%), two main yarns materials (Cotton and Polyester/Cotton PC), and two finishing process types(Wash and bleach) were taken as level of input variables to study their effect on stretch and recovery. Stretch and recovery tests were performed on knitted sock tube. After testing, Minitab software was used for analysis of variance of obtained results using full factorial design. Significance of all factors and levels was analyzed. It was found that with the increase in elastane percentage stretch was decreased and recovery was increased. Cotton was found to have less stretch and more recovery percentage as compared to PC. Additionally it was observed that washing treatment produced significantly higher stretch and lesser recovery than bleaching. Similar trend was also observed in interaction plot indicating that all variables were dependent on each other.