Development of comfortable and eco-friendly cellulose based textiles with improved sustainability

Abstract

Considering specific mechanical, hygienic and protective properties of hemp, as well as its positive sustainability aspects, the raising role of hemp fibres in the textile sector can be expected. The limited deformability of hemp fibres, which has a negative influence on the tactile comfort, can be overcome by blending them with other soft fibres. In this project, an attempt was made to overcome this limitation by blending them with soft and warm acrylic fibres so as to avoid any chemical treatments with softeners. The composition of the knitted fabrics was designed at the knitting production stage, offering the knitwear factories a new possibility for fibre blending. The produced single jersey knitted fabrics were evaluated in terms of their thermal behaviour in both steady-state and transient conditions. Since this type of knitted fabrics is prone to dimensional changes and distortion upon repeated laundering, the undershirts made thereof were subjected to the wear trial test (repeated wear and care cycles) in real life situations, in order to assess changes in the thermal properties of the knitted fabrics. Observed changes in the geometry of the knitted fabrics and morphology of the fibres after a period of wear and care of the undershirts have had positive effects on the thermal properties of the hemp based knits. Hemp/acrylic knitted fabric has undergone the biggest change in the geometry, but moderate change in thermal properties comparing to those of the hemp knit. The values of thermal parameters of the hemp/acrylic knit after repeated wear and care cycles which were in the range of those of the hemp knit before the wear trial test, confirmed that the hemp-blend proposed by this study would follow the trend of good hemp thermal behaviour in terms of comfort at the exploitation stage. The presented results offer a product design strategy to increase the performance, economic and environmental benefits for both the producers and consumers.