Investigation of wicking, wetting and drying properties of acrylic knitted fabrics

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between different knitted structures and some thermo-physiological comfort parameters. Wetting, wicking and drying properties of single jersey, 1 x 1 rib, 2 x 2 rib and interlock knitted fabrics made out of acrylic yarns were studied and experimental wicking height, wicking weight, transfer wicking ratio, contact angle and WER (water evaporation rate) values were measured. Samples were produced in two different tightness values to obtain slack and tight fabrics for all structures. Some comfort-related parameters were correlated with structural parameters of fabrics such as fabric tightness factor, thickness, porosity, loop length and pore size etc. The statistical analysis results indicate that the effect of the knitted structure is significant for wicking height, wicking weight, contact angle values, transfer wicking ratios and WER values. Wicking height increases depending on knitted structures namely, single jersey, 1 x 1 rib, interlock and 2 x 2 rib, respectively. Slack fabrics have longer loop lengths with higher porosity values and higher pore sizes for all knitted structures. Slack structures of 2 x 2 rib, 1 x 1 rib, interlock and single jersey knits have higher transfer wicking ratios when compared with their tight structures. WER is inversely related with fabric thickness. It decreased with an increase of thickness due to increase of compactness and decrease of air space. All tight knitted structures have higher contact angles than their slack forms due to compactness of the surface.