An investigation of the relationship between blend ratio, linear density and loop length on geometrical and air permeability properties of bamboo cotton-knitted fabrics

Air permeability is one of the most important aspects of clothing. This study presents the geometrical and air permeability properties of single-jersey-knitted fabric structures made from cotton, bamboo and cotton–bamboo-blended yarns. The objective was to determine the influence of blend ratio, yarn linear density and stitch length on geometrical and air permeability properties of bamboo cotton-knitted fabrics. Yarns with linear densities of 19.6, 23.6, 29.5 tex and with the same twist level were used to construct the fabrics of single-jersey structure with loose, medium and tight structures. The air permeability of the fabrics was observed to increase with an increase in bamboo fibre content. The anticipated increase in air permeability with a decrease in yarn linear density (tex) and an increase in stitch length was observed. Bamboo fibre in the fabric causes a reduction in fabric thickness and mass/unit area for all linear densities of yarn.