Effects of laundering on the sensory and mechanical properties of 1 x 1 rib knitwear fabrics - Part II: Changes in sensory and mechanical properties

Acrylic, cotton, and wool 1 x 1 rib knitwear fabrics are subjected to up to fifty laundering cycles in a variety of washing and drying conditions. Tac tile and mechanical properties of the new and washed fabrics are quantified using subjective and objective evaluation methods. Principal components an alysis (PCA) identifies the most important property changes in the three fa bric types, and indicates correlations between individual, subjectively ass essed fabric attributes and objectively measured mechanical parameters. Cau ses of major fabric changes are discussed in terms of the wash process vari ables (agitation level, detergent product, and drying method) and the diffe rent physicochemical properties of the three fiber types. The PCA is believ ed to provide a means of defining fabric "total hand values" for 1 x 1 rib knitwear fabrics without recourse to regression equations based on "once-an d-for-all" expert judgements.