Effect of Knit Structure on Dimentional Stability of Knitted Fabrics

EFFECT OF KNIT STRUCTURE ON DIMENSIONAL STABILITY OF KNITTED FABRIC   El-Geiheini A. El-Kateb S. Textile Department, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University Abstract Fabric shrinkage is a serious problem facing Garment industry especially knitwear, that is caused by dimensional changes in the fabric, particularly stitches. The dimensional stability of cotton weft knitted fabrics during utilization has a significant effect on their quality. Accordingly, shrinkage affects the company place in the competitive market. The structure of knitted fabric is an interloping action of yarns into stitches. Consequently, it influences geometrical and dimensional stability of knitwear’s. The main goal of this work is to study the effect of fabric design on the output shrinkage of weft knitted fabric. Experimental work studied the output shrinkage of some types of weft knitted fabrics: Single Jersey, Plating Single Jersey, Rib, Interlock, Pique Lacoste, and Fleece fabrics, at different levels of knitting parameters, yarn types and counts. Results demonstrated that Piques stitches reduce the amount of widthwise shrinkage while Miss stitches decrease the ability of fabric shrinkage in both lengthwise and widthwise directions. The addition of elastomeric fibers to have plating or half plaiting knitted fabrics reduce the amount of widthwise shrinkage. Key words: Shrinkage- Knit, Pique, and Miss stitches- Garment industry- Elastomeric Fibers