Physical-mechanical Properties of Aged Knitted Fabric for Swimsuits

Abstract

The physical and mechanical properties of knitted fabrics for sports swimsuits are analysed in this paper. The knitted fabrics were experimentally aged in seawater and exposed to the sun continuously for 100 hours. Data were processed for nine knitted fabrics with the same raw material composition, polyamide and elastane in different proportions. The physical-mechanical properties of all nine samples before and after aging, as well as the drying rate and water absorption capacity, were examined. The results show that the properties of the knitted fabric changed in all samples. The sample with a higher elastane content (59% PA and 41% EL) is less sensitive to changes in mass per unit area and thickness after aging (−0.89% and 0.40%). The results of maximum wetted radius absorption water on the top and bottom of the knitted fabric, spreading speed absorption and drying time are shown. The results show that the values of the maximum wetted radius of absorbed water and the spreading speed increase for all samples, while the drying time for the knitted fabrics show different results.

Keywords

• fabric
• knitwear
• physical-mechanical properties
• swimwear
• mechanical functionalization