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Comfort-related properties of seersucker fabrics in dry and wet state

Malgorzata Matusiak (Institute of Architecture of Textiles, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland)
Lukasz Fracczak (Institute of Machine Tools and Production Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland)

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology

ISSN: 0955-6222

Article publication date: 5 June 2017

219

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the seersucker fabrics from the point of view of their ability to ensure the thermo-physiological comfort. It was investigated how the kind of the weft yarn and seersucker structure influence the air permeability and thermal insulation properties of the fabrics.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the investigations of the typical seersucker fabrics made of the same set of warps and different weft yarns. Fabrics were manufactured on the same loom with two warp beams. Next they were finished by the same way including washing, drying and stabilisation processes. Fabrics were measured in the range of their air permeability using standard test method. Thermal insulation properties of fabrics were measured in dry and wet state by means of Alambeta. Surface topography of the seersucker fabrics was analysed using 3D laser scanning.

Findings

On the basis of the obtained results it was stated that due to the puckered structure the seersucker fabrics are characterised by high thermal resistance, several times higher than the thermal resistance of typical flat woven fabrics. The seersucker fabrics are characterised by very low value of the thermal absorptivity in wet state at the level appropriate for typical flat fabrics in dry state. It confirmed that the seersucker fabrics ensure the physiological comfort. Application of the elastomeric yarn in weft caused significant tightening the fabric structure. It resulted in low air permeability, fabric stiffness and unpleasant hand.

Research limitations/implications

As a limitation of the investigation of the seersucker fabrics in wet state we can mention the surface topography of the fabrics. It made wetting the fabrics difficult before measuring. It is necessary to elaborate precise procedure of preparation of seersucker fabrics before their testing in the wet state.

Practical implications

Performed investigations showed that the seersucker fabrics have a big potential to be comfortable. By an appropriate designing of their structure it is possible to achieve very good comfort-related properties even without application of innovative comfort-oriented yarns.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper is based on the fact that the measurement was performed for the seersucker fabrics. The fabrics are characterised by the unique structure which influences their appearance and utility properties. It caused that they are willingly applied in different kinds of clothing. Till now any results of comfort-related properties of such kind of the woven fabrics have not been published.

Keywords

Citation

Matusiak, M. and Fracczak, L. (2017), "Comfort-related properties of seersucker fabrics in dry and wet state", International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, Vol. 29 No. 3, pp. 366-379. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCST-09-2016-0106

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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