Durability of Hand in Spandex Blend Fabrics

Abstract

The durability of hand in spandex blend fabrics (1% spandex-wool and 2% spandex-wool/pe blends) was evaluated by the wear test and the laboratory simulation test, using an objective evaluation method of fabric handle based on the mechanical properties measured by the kes-fb system. The simulation test was performed to simulate the fabric fatigue process in actual wear by means of the kes-f5 fatigue test machine and commercial dry-cleaning. From the wear test, the primary hand values of numeri (smoothness) and fukurami (softness and fullness) showed a greater decrease for the spandex blend fabrics than those for the worsted fabrics. From the simulation test, the total and primary hand values of numeri for the spandex blend fabrics decreased remarkably compared with those for the conventional fabrics. The surface abrasion of the spandex blend fabrics caused by the wear test was much greater than that of the worsted fabrics, and was confirmed by the simulation test results. From the changes in the mechanical properties caused by the simulation test, spandex blend fabrics appear to show extensive bagging, whereas wrinkle resistance is stronger than that of the conventional fabrics. The cross-sectional areas of the spandex-wool/pe blend core spun yarns increased significantly with the simulation test, with a comparable decrease of resilience in the tensile properties, in contrast with the worsted yarns. The structural modifications in fiber assemblies of the core spun yarns govern the increase in hysteresis components of both the fabric and yarn, and the degradation of fibers in the core spun yarns contributes to the deterioration of the spandex blend fabrics.