Thermo-physical Comfort Properties of Eri/Acrylic Union Fabrics

Abstract

In the reported study, the impact of blending on thermal, physical, esthetic and comfort properties of eri silk–acrylic union fabric with different weave structures was studied. The eri silk, acrylic and their blended yarns were prepared in the silk spinning system. Twill, herringbone and diamond woven fabrics were developed using the blended yarn in handloom. The fabric samples were evaluated for physical, comfort properties as well as subjective evaluation. It was observed that, in twill weave, air permeability and thermal conductivity of the eri silk–acrylic blended union fabrics were improved with the increase in eri silk fiber percentage, whereas the thermal insulation values increase with the increase in acrylic percentage, in the case of diamond fabrics. Respondent opined that all the woven samples have good appearance, soft in hand and smooth in texture. The costs of blended yarn and the cost of union fabrics of different proportions were getting reduced in comparison to that of eri silk yarns and fabrics. The study reveals that the thermal and comfort properties of twill structured eri silk union fabric were found to be suitable for winter fashion.

Keywords

• eri silk
• acrylic
• weave structure
• union fabrics
• comfort properties
• fashion apparels