Investigation of moisture transportation properties of knitted fabrics made from Viscose Vortex Spun Yarns

Abstract

Moisture transportation through fabrics is one of the important parameters which affect clothing comfort. The combination of different factors which include fiber, yarn and fabric structure will yield varying degrees of clothing comfort. This research work concentrated on the use of viscose fibers spun on the vortex spinning system. Six knitted fabric samples were produced and tested for moisture transportation characteristics, which included air and water moisture permeability. better abrasion resistance of yarns aids better running properties during knitting. While vortex spinning produces yarn of favorable properties at competitive cost, the selection of the fiber used to make the yarn is important. Being among the oldest regenerated cellulosic fibers, viscose fiber is more absorbent when compared to cotton. Therefore it can be used for the production of garments where absorption of perspiration from the human skin is paramount. Hydrophilic fibers like viscose can absorb liquids into the fiber structure thus preventing the spread of liquids, including sweat, along the fabrics. These liquids can be wicked away from the skin through the fabric to the outside where they evaporate, thereby keeping the body cool. Therefore a combination of viscose fiber, which is hydrophilic in nature, vortex spinning, which can be used to manufacture yarn of unique properties, and knitting, a fabric formation system which produces fabric with unique porosity and thickness properties, could produces fabrics with unique moisture transportation properties. The results indicate that all structures had high wicking levels in the wale than in the course direction. Similarly, all fabrics had poor drying abilities, but good water vapor permeability. There was a good correlation between air permeability and water vapor permeability of the fabrics. This was attributed to the fiber in the yarn not the fabric structure.