Low Stress Mechanical Behavior of Cotton / Polyester Yarns and Fabrics in Relation to Fiber Distribution Within the Yarn

Abstract

Low stress mechanical properties of cotton /polyester yams representing random fiber disposition and core-sheath construction are compared to determine the influence of fiber distribution on yam properties. The yams are converted into plain weave fabrics under identical conditions, and fabric properties are compared to understand how yam properties translate into fabric properties. The core-sheath yarn (polyester core/cotton-covered yam) shows lower values for bending rigidity, bending hysteresis, compressive resilience, and tensile elongation. The same yarn also shows higher values for compressive softness and tensile modulus. The lower tensile elongation and higher tensile modulus of the core-sheath yam is reflected in the lower elongation and higher modulus of the corresponding fabric. However, bending and compression properties of the core-sheath yarn are inversely related to bending and compression properties of the corresponding fabric. Results show that yarn bulk and compression properties exert a greater influence on the bending behavior of a plain weave fabric than yarn bending properties. Results also reveal that a closely woven plain weave fabric made from a less resilient and easily compressible yarn can prove to be more resilient to compression and more difficult to compress in the fabric stage.