Zeitschrift für Textilwissenschaft und -technik

Effect of Crepe Texture on Tensile Properties of Cotton Fabric under Varied Relative Humidity

Abstract

Htike HH, Kang J, Yokura H and Sukigara S

The physical properties of cotton crêpe fabrics with highly twisted weft yarn (2200 twists per meter) were evaluated after special embossed finishing to generate piqué. The effect of piqué was investigated as the main factor affecting the tensile properties of the sample fabrics under varied relative humidity. First, the mechanical and surface properties were measured using the Kawabata Evaluation System for Fabrics under standard room conditions, and then, the other physical properties were examined. The existence of piqué in the crêpe texture significantly changed the samples’ tensile properties, such as tensile energy and extensibility at maximum applied load (EM) in the weft direction. Additional tensile measurements were carried out under varied relative humidity (10-90% RH) at 25°C. The crêpe fabrics with piqué had higher EM and residual strain values than the non-piqué samples under all RH conditions. In particular, the effect of piqué on EM became obvious at 90% RH.