Characterization of functional single jersey knitted fabrics using non-conventional yarns for sportswear

Abstract

Eight functional single jersey plain knitted fabrics have been developed in order to assess a quantitative analysis of various comfort-related properties in terms of thermal control, air and water vapor permeability, wickability, coefficient of kinetic friction and antimicrobial efficiency, using eight different commercially available functional yarns: Polyester Craque and viscose Craque conventional yarns as controls; Finecool and Coolmax polyester yarns for moisture management and quick drying; Holofiber polyester yarns containing an optical responsive material that the producer claims to improve body oxygenation; Airclo polyester hollow yarns for efficient control of body temperature; and, finally, polyester Trevira and viscose Seacell for antimicrobial activity. According to the results, Coolmax for moisture management, Airclo for thermal control and Seacell for antimicrobial activity present the best performances as technical textiles for sportswear for the respective specific functional property.