Changes in Physical and Geometrical Properties of Cotton Crepe Fabrics Taken from Worn Undershirts

Abstract

In this study, we quantified changes in the mechanical and surface properties of cotton piqué crepe fabrics from worn undershirts to estimate their durability. Five worn men's undershirts tailored from cotton piqué crepe fabric were kindly supplied by a textile expert. A repeated laundering test of the piqué undershirt fabric was also conducted. The mechanical and surface properties of the fabric were measured using the Kawabata Evaluation System for Fabrics and the hand values were calculated. The wearing comfort of a pair of short pants tailored from the cotton piqué crepe fabric was assessed by female students before and after 4 weeks of wearing.
The extensibility at the maximum tensile load of fabrics increased with wearing, and the bending and shear properties of fabrics decreased. The value of bending rigidity B1 of the warp direction of fabrics decreased with the number of washes, and the B1 values of fabrics after wearing decreased, corresponding to the estimated number of washes. After 10 seasons of wearing, primary hand values calculated by the KN202 conversion equation show that the hari (anti-drape stiffness) decreased and sofutosa (softness) and shinayakasa (suppleness) increased. Because the piqué structure was retained, shari (crispness) was almost unchanged, even after 10 seasons of wearing. Thus, the softness and suppleness of the fabric increased after 10 seasons of wearing and the crispness and moderate anti-drape stiffness that are desirable characteristics of summer clothing were maintained. An increase in comfort for the short pants evaluated by female students after 4 weeks of wearing was measured by the soft and smooth sensations. Garments tailored from cotton piqué crepe fabrics retained a good tactile feel after wearing, suggesting that cotton crepe fabrics might be appropriate for various new applications.