An Investigation into Air Permeability of Terry Fabrics Regarding the Processes of Finishing

Abstract

The paper presents the investigations and dependencies of air permeability regarding the parameters of finishing processes. Terry fabrics used in the experimental work were woven using cotton and linen yarns. 28 different terry pure linen and linen/cotton fabric constructions, with different structures and finishing treatments, were investigated. Wetting phenomena has a significant effect on air permeability of the fabric as do the following finishing processes: washing with a detergent and without one, washing with detergent and conditioner, softening, calendaring, and tumbling. It was observed that air permeability of the fabrics not exposed to any finishing operation is highest, while tumbled fabrics exhibit the lowest air permeability. Terry fabrics shrink in finishing processes, especially after washing. It was found that with the increase of washing time the air permeability of the fabrics investigated tends to decrease. Washing process for 2 hours without detergents decreases air permeability by 2.0 times for the investigating linen/cotton fabric with unbleached pile and by 2.4 times for the investigating linen/cotton fabrics with bleached pile warps, if compared with the fabric that has undergone no finishing. Washing process lasting for 1 hour, with a detergent and conditioner, decreases fabric air permeability by up to 238.7- 202.1 mm/s.