Compression properties of pile fabrics in the presence of water

The compression properties of towel pile fabrics with water contents from 0% to 500% were measured to investigate the effect of pile ratio and weft yarn density. The compression energy decreased substantially from 0% to 50% and 100%, and then increased with the water content. Towel fabric with a high pile ratio showed a larger increase in compression energy than towel fabric with a low pile ratio. Water transfer through the towels was investigated in both horizontal and vertical directions. The vertical water transfer from the pile surface to the base was related to the maximum water absorption velocity (Vmax). Subjectively evaluated, soft towels showed larger Vmax and compression energy values with water than short-pile towels.