Investigation of permanent elongation and comfort characteristics of knitted fabrics containing elastane

Sportswear is now preferred not only for active sports but also in daily life. Sportswear is mostly produced from knitted fabrics due to its flexibility. By adding elastane to the knit structure, extra flexibility is added to the structure and thus the garment is provided to respond better to body movement. Although many studies have been conducted on the physical and comfort properties of elastane knitted fabrics in recent years, there are not many studies examining the permanent elongation and comfort properties of fabrics together. It is aimed to examine the permanent elongation and comfort properties of elastane knitted fabrics in this study. Two different interlock knit structures, which are connected with double-sided fang rows, are selected. The effect of elastane yarn on fabric properties was investigated by using 5 different numbers of bare elastane yarn as 22, 33, 44, 60, 78dtex together with textured polyester yarn. To see the effect of using core spun elastane yarn, fabrics were also produced with two different numbers of core-spun elastane yarn. A total of 19 fabric samples were produced, including those knitted with the same yarns in the same knitting structures, without elastane. The parameters such as density, weight, thickness, air permeability, water vapor permeability, thermal permeability, instant elongation, and permanent elongation, snagging, bending rigidity, and surface roughness of the fabrics produced were tested. Experimental results were evaluated statistically. According to the results obtained; the parameters of the number of elastane yarn, the structure of the knit, the use of elastane as bare or core-spun, and the feeding position of elastane in the knit have a significant impact on the above-mentioned fabric properties.