The influence of relaxation process on dimensional properties of cotton/spandex knitted fabrics

Abstract

Fabrics knitted with spandex have many pre-treatment and finishing steps. In this study, the effects of relaxation process on dimensional properties of cotton/spandex single jersey fabrics are experimentally investigated to estimate the dyed fabric properties before finishing process. For this purpose, single jersey fabric samples were knitted on a circular knitting machine. Fabric samples were knitted by feeding both cotton and spandex yarns with three different adjustment of positive yarn feeding mechanisms for producing tight, medium and loose cotton/spandex single jersey fabrics. In order to examine the effects of relaxation process, dimensional properties (course per cm, wale per cm, stitch density, weight and thickness) were measured after dry relaxation, wet relaxation, washing relaxation and boiling washing relaxation. Test results show that the dimensional properties of dry relaxed cotton/spandex knitted fabrics are similar to those of dyed fabrics; exactly the opposite of what is supposed in general.