COMFORTABLE AND PROTECTIVE HYBRID WEFT-KNIT PLATED FABRIC FROM GLASS AND WOOL/ACRYLIC YARNS

In this study, hybrid weft-knit plated fabrics were produced by co-feeding glass and wool/acrylic blend yarns. While the wool/acrylic yarn in contact with skin is expected to provide comfort, the glass yarn next to the environment is to provide protection. The physical, structural, air permeability, bursting strength, and the protection against flame properties of glass plus wool/acrylic plated fabric were compared with the reference fabrics consisting completely of glass or wool/acrylic blend yarn. Two factors: the yarn composition and the cam setting of the knitting machine were considered. Two-ply of glass yarn was fed to the each face of the reference glass fabric, and a single-ply of wool/acrylic yarn was fed to the each face of the reference wool/acrylic fabric. On the other hand, while the hybrid plated fabric’s back face accommodated two-ply of glass yarn, its front face involved a single-ply of wool/acrylic yarn. Two different cam settings, loose and tight, were selected. The physical and the structural properties of the fabrics were measured. Then, air permeability, bursting strength, and the protection against flame tests were performed. Test results were subjected to detailed statistical data analysis and how they were affected by the yarn composition and the cam setting was presented with visual and self-explanatory graphs.