Thermal Resistance of Gray Modal and Micromodal Socks

Abstract

Abstract Men's socks were produced on a Lonati circular knitting machine in 18 different combinations in multi-plated plain jersey from basic modal and basic micro modal yarn with the addition of cotton or PA multifilament yarn and elastane yarn in the sock cuff. The modal and micromodal yarns were ring-spun, rotor-spun and air-spun; they consist of 38 mm long staple fibres with a fineness of 1.3 and 1.0 dtex respectively. Thermal resistance was determined by use of the thermal foot. The thermal resistance values for all socks samples range from 0.0091 to 0.01586 m2 °C W−1. The highest thermal resistance per groups of basic modal fibres was obtained in the samples made of air-jet spun yarn of 0.0132 m2 °C W−1 and the lowest in samples of rotor yarn of 0.0109 m2 °C W−1. The highest thermal resistance in all groups of basic micromodal samples made of ring yarn (0.0132 m2 °C W−1) and the lowest in the samples made of air-spun yarn (0.0099 m2 °C W−1). At low levels of thermal resistance, as the thickness of the sample of basic modal and micro modal fibres of ring and rotor yarns increases, the thermal resistance of socks increases with a correlation coefficient of 0.711. The tested sock samples have low thermal resistance, i.e. they can conduct heat better than the sock leg, thus achieving cooling and comfort, which is important for wearing socks in warm weather.