Evaluating the Impact of Environmental Exposure on the Performance of Polyester Sportswear Materials

The growing popularity of sporting activities has led to an increased demand for sportswear. Consequently, sportswear developers are, therefore, faced with the challenge of meeting the increasing and more demanding expectations of users. In this study, the effects of aging on sportswear materials made from recycled and conventional polyesters are investigated. The properties analyzed include mass per unit area, thickness, porosity, elongation, bending stiffness, abrasion, and wetting and drying behavior. The results showed that aging leads to an increase in fabric thickness, with recycled polyester showing the largest increase of 6.6%, as well as a reduction in porosity. In addition, recycled polyester exhibited the highest stiffness, while conventional polyester, with the lowest mass per unit area, had the lowest stiffness and offered greater flexibility in movement. Non-aged samples had a shorter wetting time, while the aged materials dried faster. As the material ages, its abrasion resistance decreases. However, the recycled polyester material showed better wear resistance after aging compared to standard materials, indicating its potential long-term durability. In summary, the results suggest that aging significantly affects the structure and functional properties of fabrics, which is important for designing durable sportswear that maintains optimal performance over time and use.