Abstract
We evaluated the internal volume/radius distribution, radius range 0.1-1, 000μm order, in three species of wool fabrics washed repeatedly by two types of home washing machine. The evaluation was executed by combining the liquid-absorption method and the centrifugal liquid-elimination method by n-dodecane.
The internal volume structure of the thin twill and the rib knit washed by the twin-tub pulsator type machine was markedly transformed as washing cycle repeated. Observed increase of the internal volume is attributed as follows : (i) relaxation of fabric original structure (all radius range), (ii) generation of nap (100-1, 000 μm order), (iii) fulling (10μm order), (iv) roughness of clung nap (1, 000μm order) and damage structure of the fibers (1μm order). Transformation of the internal volume structure in the serge washed by the “hand washing course” of the automatic pulsator type machine was less than others, although generation of slight internal volume of radius range larger than 600μm was recognized. Increase of the internal volume of these range can be controlled by softening.
