Designing three-dimensional changed spacer weft-knitted fabrics for efficient absorption and quick-drying partitioned garments

Abstract

Enhancing the thermal-wet comfort of garments is a key factor in sportswear research. In this study, we designed a new three-dimensional moisture conduction structure model, developed double-sided fabrics of a changed spacer weft-knitted structure, and compared them with single-sided plain stitch and cellular structure fabrics, focusing on the morphology, basic structural parameters and absorption, and quick-drying performance. The findings indicated that the changed spacer weft-knitted fabric consisting of 18 tex Tencel and 33.3 tex (96 f) recycled polyester filament has a smaller surface density and thickness, the water absorption of 436%, the water evaporation rate of 0.354 g/h, and the water vapor transmission of 7476.75 g/(m2 · d). Compared with other fabrics, it has excellent absorption and quick-drying performance. Partitioned T-shirts were designed by using the human body sweating law, and four fabrics were applied to one to four areas according to the sweating degree. Through infrared image monitoring and subjective evaluation, we concluded that the partitioned T-shirt has efficient absorption and quick-drying ability, and has potential to be applied to the development of thermal-wet comfort sportswear.