Investigation of the Dependence of Weft Knitted Fabric on Cover Factor

Abstract

The dependence of knitted fabric parameters on the cover factor of rib, tuck-rib and half tuck-rib fabric has been investigated. The knitted samples with the value of cover factor within limits of 6 < K < 15 tex1/2 cm-1 (K = 6,7,8,10,11,13,15) were knitted. A cotton yarn of linear density 150 tex (3x50 tex) was used for the samples. The samples were knitted on a double bed flat knitting machine with linear cams. All the significant parameters of knitted structure were analysed, and the functional dependence of the investigation results on the cover factor is shown mathematically by empirical formulae. The knitted fabric with cover factor K = 15 shows the best mechanical properties, i.e. it has the greatest tensile strength, but regarding bulk or compactness of knitted fabric expressed by volume coefficient of bulk δv, by which heat insulation is determined, these values are not optimal. The optimal values of these coefficients lie between cover factors K = 10 and K = 12.