The Effects of Super Absorbent Fibers on the Washing, Dry Cleaning and Drying Behavior of Knitted Fabrics

In this study, water absorption and drying properties of knitted fabrics produced by 100% polyester staple fibers (PET) yarn, blend of 80% PET, 20% super absorbent fibers (SAF) yarn and covered 80-20% PET-SAF blend yarn, which the surface of the 80-20% PET-SAF blend yarn has been covered by a monofilament polyester were experimentally examined. The effect of SAF, covering yarn, washing and drying treatment and dry cleaning treatment on the water absorption of the fabrics was analyzed. It was seen that knitted fabric with 80-20% PET-SAF blend yarn and covered blend yarn always had higher water absorption value and longer drying time than knitted fabric with 100% PET. However, knitted fabric with covered blend yarn had less water absorption than the fabric with blend yarn. Water absorption values of fabrics did not change too much during repeated water absorption tests. The absorption properties of the fabrics containing SAF decreased dramatically after washing and drying treatment. However, after repeated dry cleaning treatment, there was still considerably high water absorption capacity on the fabric containing SAF with regard to the fabric with 100% PET.