Development of hemp-blended cotton fabrics and analysis on handle behavior, low-stress mechanical and aesthetic properties

Cotton is the most popular natural fiber used in apparel industry world over. Although cotton is cultivated in approximately 2.4% of the world's arable land, it accounts for 24% of the world's insecticide market. Industrial hemp is considered as the most sustainable raw material as substitute of cotton in textile industry. However, there are several challenges associated with hemp processing as the fiber is coarse, stiff and it has comparatively poor spinnability particularly when 100% hemp is processed in ring spinning system. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the aesthetic and low-stress mechanical properties, and handle value of the plain woven hemp-blended cotton fabrics. The 16Ne and 30Ne linear density compact and ring yarns were produced and were used to manufacture plain woven suiting and shirting fabrics, respectively. Crease recovery angle, pilling, tear and tensile strength, and handle value of the fabrics were determined.

Automated summary

Cotton, a popular natural fiber in the apparel industry, occupies a significant portion of arable land and insecticide market globally. Industrial hemp is considered a sustainable alternative to cotton, but faces challenges in processing due to its coarse fiber and poor spinnability. This study focuses on investigating the properties and value of plain woven hemp-blended cotton fabrics.