Thermal and Comfort Properties of Polyester/micro-polyester and Cotton/regenerated Fibers Blended Knitted Fabrics

Thermo-physiological comfort of textile is related to thermal equilibrium between environment and human body and also provides a balance between the heat production of body and loss of heat. During working actions executed in hot conditions, body produces heat energy in large amount which increase the temperature of body. In consequence, body perspires in vapor and liquid form to reduce the temperature of the body. Thus the clothing requires next to the skin should have the capacity to allow the passage of heat and perspiration through it. Otherwise, it will cause the discomfort for the workers who work in hot environment. That is why the moisture management, air permeability, thermal resistance, and water vapor permeability of the fabric wear next to the skin are very important to maintain the thermal comfort of the worker. In this study eight different type of pure yarns were produced in which two are syntactic and other six are cellulosic and regenerated cellulosic. The six single jersey knitted fabrics were produced from the pure standard polyester yarn combination with cellulosic and regenerated cellulosic yarns through the single feeder of the sample knitting machine. The other six samples were produced from the pure micro polyester yarn combination with cellulosic and regenerated cellulosic yarns. The different tests were performed on the samples to evaluate the thermal comfort properties of the fabrics. The results showed that the single jersey knitted fabric produced from the pure micro polyester yarn combined with the pure tencel yarn provide good all over properties for the hot environment next to skin wear.