Abstract
The relation between the pressure-dependence of water absorption and the compression characteristics of cotton fabrics, and the changes in the water absorption of the fabrics by the treatment of a softener, thickener, or a mixture of them were investigated. The initial water absorption rate of the cotton fabric increased with the pressure, and was equilibrated at 626 Pa or above. The compression ratio also increased with the pressure, reached about 25% at the pressure of 626 Pa, where the initial water absorption rate was eqilibrated, and continued to increase after this point. The time needed for the saturation of water was shortened with the increase in the pressure, showing the peaks of the saturation of water at the pressure of 210 Pa and 349 Pa. No changes were observed in the compression-characteristics of the fabrics with the treatment of the finishing agents (softener, thickener or the mixture of them) or with the treating times. However, the amount of absorbed water at 626 Pa showed the most decrease in the fabric treated with a softening agent of the all finishing agents examined. The amount of absorbed water was increased in the fabric treated with a thickening agent compared with the untreated fabric when the treating time was 2 minutes or longer. Changes in the amount of absorbed water with the treating time was smallest in the fabric treated with a mixture of the softener and the thickener.
