Moisture-management properties of bi-layer knitted fabrics for sportswear

The comfort of the fabric is attained through transmission of sensible and insensible perspiration. This can be achieved by enhancing the moisture management properties of knitted fabrics. In this article, the moisture management properties of seven bi-layer knitted fabrics were analyzed for active sportswear. Liquid transfer property is the key factor in comfort to be considered in clothing design of sportswear. In support of this aim, bi-layer knitted fabrics with different yarn combinations in the inner layer and outer layer were used. The selected yarn combinations were viscose-polypropylene, modal-polypropylene, viscose-micro fibre polyester, modal-micro fibre polyester, viscose-polyester, modal-polyester and bamboo-polyester for outer and inner layers. The objective fabric test was carried out to find out the moisture management properties of bi-layer knitted fabrics. The results indicate that the micro-fibre polyester (inner layer) and modal (outer layer) bi-layer knitted fabric have better moisture management property because of better wetting time, high wetting radius, good absorption rate and good spreading speed of sweat, and hence provide high level of comfort and can be preferred for active sportswear.