Designing terry fabric for improved serviceability

Abstract

Various terry fabrics (cotton) having different constructional parameters have been designed and the effect of washing treatment on water absorbency, surface characteristics and compression characteristics are studied. To establish the optimum loop length and loop density of terry fabrics at which they can withstand maximum number of washing cycles without affecting water absorbency, surface characteristics and compression characteristics, terry fabrics having the same yarn and fabric parameters are washed under industrial conditions for 10 washing cycles. After each cycle, the rate of water absorption, total amount of water absorbed, surface characteristics and compression characteristics are evaluated by gravimetric absorbency testing system, image analysis techniques and KES-FB-3 testing system respectively. Another group of cotton terry fabrics having different loop length and loop density have been studied to optimise these two important fabric parameters to increase the life of fabric. It is observed that the rate of water absorption, the total amount of water absorbed and the surface characteristics improve with increase in washing cycle, but after 8^th washing cycle these parameters start deteriorating. Maximum possible loop density and loop length of 15 - 17 mm give maximum life of terry fabric i.e. the fabric can perform well even after 10 washing cycles. This study will certainly help in increasing the life of terry fabric, developing high quality towel fabric by providing information on absorbency, surface characteristics and compression characteristics of fabric before and after washing along with the values of loop length and loop density.