Thermal Transmission Attributes of Knitted Structures Produced by Using Engineered Yarns

Thermal comfort has become an important parameter for clothing design. Factors affecting the thermal behavior of clothing are numerous and they include thermal insulation, transfer of moisture and vapor through clothing and heat exchange, etc. The aim of this study is to investigate the thermal comfort characteristics of knitted structures produced by using two different engineered yarns with the constructions of single jersey and pique. The air permeability, thermal resistance, thermal absorptivity, and water vapor permeability characteristics were tested. Besides the evaluation of the effects of yarn type and fabric construction, the fabrics were also categorized as dyed and undyed in order to analyze the effect of dyeing on the characteristics of fabrics. The results revealed that air permeability and thermal resistance values decreased after the dyeing process, while thermal absorptivity values increased. Pique fabric construction and fabrics produced with 100% engineered polyester yarn exhibit higher air permeability, higher thermal resistance, and lower thermal absorptivity attributes.