The effect of fabric structure and yarn-to-yarn liquid migration on liquid transport in fabrics

Wicking experiments were carried out on a range of cotton and polyester fabrics, which exhibited differences in terms of yarn size, thread spacing, and yarn type. Wicking coefficients in the warp and weft direction as well as for the constituent warp and weft yarns were determined using image analysis technique in which height of liquid front was measured as a function time. Results showed that the wicking in fabrics is determined by the wicking behavior of the yarns, the thread spacing, and, more importantly, the rate at which liquid migrates from longitudinal to transverse threads and again from transverse threads back to longitudinal threads. This yarn migration phenomenon, which has not received significant attention in the past, was studied by measuring the gain in wicking coefficient and the equilibrium wicking height and by actual visualization of the wicking process. Fabric wicking rates were found to be directly associated with yarn wicking behavior. Inter-yarn spaces were found to exert a major influence on fabric wicking behavior.