Dimensional and Physical Characteristics of Single Jersey Fabrics

An account is given of a study of the dimensional changes of plain weft knitted fabrics made from 12s, 16s, and 22s grasicrimp yam, brought about by various processes of relaxation including dry relaxation, wet relaxation, and tumble drying. In the dry relaxed state, the nature of knitted loop depends on the yarn's physical properties and knitting variables. After full relaxation, the values K c , K w , K s , and K c /K w are independent of yarn or machine variables and approach a constant. In the full relaxed state, fabric thickness is independent of the tightness factor and depends on yam diameter and twists. The angle of wale lines with the vertical is increased with the twist multiplier and further increases after wet relaxation. Fabric bulk depends on loop length in all states of relaxation and has a linear relationship with the tightness factor after full relaxation.