Structural characteristics, compression and strength properties of plain weft-knitted fabrics before and after washing

Abstract

The structural characteristics, compression, and strength properties of knitted fabrics, before and after washing, were investigated in this paper. The experimental material consisted of three plain weft-knitted fabrics produced of cotton, wool, and organic wool. The structural characteristics of the knitted fabrics were analyzed by measuring the number of courses and Wales per centimeter, stitch density, yarn loop length, weight, and thickness. The compression properties were determined by measuring compressibility, thickness loss, and compressive resilience. The strength properties were investigated by measuring the bursting strength and ball traverse elongation. The results showed that stitch density and raw material composition affect compression properties, raw material composition affects strength properties, and washing affects structural characteristics, compression, and strength properties of knitted fabrics. After washing, all knitted fabrics increased in the number of courses and Wales per centimeter, stitch density, weight, thick-ness, compressibility, thickness loss, and ball traverse elongation, and decreased in compressive resilience and bursting strength. Additionally, shrinkage of the knitted fabrics was observed after washing. Also, cotton and organic wool knit-ted fabrics decreased in yarn loop length, while wool knitted fabric increased in yarn loop length after washing.