Effect of Finishing Treatments on the Functional and Mechanical Properties of Single Jersey Knitted Fabric

Abstract

Knitting has long been recognized as a leading method of forming fabrics for various enduses. So that many research is being conducted to achieve the optimum of functional andmechanical properties of knitted fabrics. The aims of this study are twofold; firstly, Freeformaldehyde cross-linking agent of cotton knitted fabrics were achieved through includingsome active agents, as functional agents, by using citric acid (CA), as an eco-friendlycrosslinking agent, and Sodium hypophosphite monohydrate (SHP), as a catalyst, using the paddry-cure technique to impart difunctional eco-friendly finishing. , and secondly to study theinfluence of treatment finishing on the knitting parameters of jersey structure such as, looplength, twist factor, stitch density, fabric weight and their effect on the mechanical properties oftreated fabrics .In this research, the effect of eco-friendly finishing of knitted fabrics using some commercial active agents with CA/SHP using pad–dry–cure technique was investigated. Antibacterial activity, UV-protection, Flame resistance and water repellency properties, as well as fabric comfortable properties of imparted functional properties, were evaluated. An ideal Anti-microbial activity, UV-protection, Flame resistance, water repellency and free formaldehyde cross-linking agent properties can be achieved by applying Antibacterial activity by using Polyprotec BBC (50 g/L ), (50 g/l citric acid) and 25 g/l of SHP as catalyst by applying the pad–dry–cure technique at 160oC for 3 minutes. Impart UV-protection properties by using Polyprotec BBC (50 g/L each), (50 g/l citric acid) and 25 g/l of SHP as catalyst by applying the pad–dry–cure technique at 160oC for 3 minutes. Impart Flame resistance properties by using Pyrovatex CP (350 g/L), (50 g/l citric acid) and 25 g/l of SHP as catalyst by applying the pad–dry–cure technique at 160oC for 3 minutes.The results obtained in the present work indicated that, fabric specification and mechanical properties changes as a different finishing treatment. It was concluded from this study that, the air permeability also tends to increase with the increase of the loop length, addition to air permeability is affected by the change in tightness factor of treated fabrics. The increase in fabric weight per square meter leads to an increase in the bending resistance of treated fabrics. So as a result, the heavy fabrics are stiffer than light fabrics. we also conclude that the loop length is one of the properties of jersey knitting fabrics which affect the bursting strength, where the loop length increases, bursting strength is decreased.

Keywords

• cotton; knitted fabrics; eco-friendly finishing; functional properties; mechanical properties