Effect of yarn twisting and de-twisting on comfort characteristics of fabrics

Abstract

Effect of yarn twisting and de-twisting on fabric comfort has been studied. Cotton yarns of 23 tex with 669 turns/m and 15 tex with 827 turns/m have been produced as nominal yarns. Another 23 tex yarn has been produced with 866 turns/m and 945 turns/m along with 15 tex yarns with twist of 1024 turns/m and 1103 turns/m, with excess twist of 197 turns/m and 276 turns/m than the nominal yarn. The excess twists in the 23 tex and 15 tex yarns are then removed by de-twisting process which results in yarns with twists of 669 turns/m and 827 turns/m respectively, called modified yarns. Plain knitted fabrics are produced from both modified and nominal yarns and then bleached. The dimensional properties, air permeability, water vapor permeability, wicking and fabric compressibility are measured for nominal and modified fabrics. Finally, comparison of comfort characteristics is made between the nominal and the modified materials. The twisting and de-twisting process made the modified yarns to have higher yarn diameter, softness and less flexural rigidity without any change in yarn strength as compared to nominal yarns. Modification increases fabric thickness, tightness factor, wicking height and compressibility. However, stitch density, air permeability and water vapor permeability of the modified fabrics are found to be reduced.