Optimization of thermo - physiological properties of structurally modified wool/polyester blended fabrics using desirability function

Abstract

The thermo-physiological properties of handloom fabrics produced with or without modified wool/polyester yarns in the weft has been studied. Yarn samples at different blend compositions are prepared according to mixture design at a different percentage of fibres using design expert software. The effect of percentage of different fibres, namely polyester, wool and PVA, on different thermo-physiological properties along with fabric properties obtained for different fibres after the dissolution of PVA component at yarn stage or fabric stage have also been studied. This paper also reports the potential of different fibres optimization to achieve maximum desirability for different thermo-physiological properties of treated (at yarn stage and fabric stage) and untreated fabrics with the help of desirability function. Treated fabrics at both stages show better thermo-physiological comfort properties as compared to untreated fabrics. In general, after dissolution of the PVA component both at the yarn stage or at the fabric stage, the treated fabric gives a higher value of thermal resistance, compressibility, drying capacity and water vapour permeability, while a lower value of air permeability and bending rigidity in comparison with untreated fabrics. Results of optimization for treated (at yarn stage and fabric stage) fabrics show higher overall desirability that can be achieved by using less percentage of wool fibres in case of treated fabrics (either at yarn stage or fabric stage).