Analyzing the Effect of Yarn and Knitting Parameters on Ultraviolet Radiation Protection by Taguchi Experimental Design

Abstract

The ultraviolet protection factors (UPF) of single jersey and 1×1 rib knitted fabrics have been investigated using Taguchi experimental design. The effects of loop length, knitting speed or carriage speed, yarn input tension and yarn fineness have been studied in the presence of two unavoidable and uncontrolled noise parameters. The results show that the yarn count and loop length have significant impact on the UPF for both single jersey and 1×1 knitted fabrics. A ranking of the four controlled parameters and the percentage contribution of each of these parameters have also been determined. The optimum parameters that correspond to the highest S/N ratio of UPF have also been evaluated.