Characterization of functional single jersey knitted fabrics using non-conventional yarns for sportswear

Eight functional single jersey plain knitted fabrics have been developed in order to assess a quantitative analysis of various comfort-related properties in terms of thermal control, air and water vapor permeability, wickability, coefficient of kinetic friction and antimicrobial efficiency, using eight different commercially available functional yarns: Polyester Craque® and viscose Craque® conventional yarns as controls; Finecool® and Coolmax® polyester yarns for moisture management and quick drying; Holofiber® polyester yarns containing an optical responsive material that the producer claims to improve body oxygenation; Airclo® polyester hollow yarns for efficient control of body temperature; and, finally, polyester Trevira® and viscose Seacell® for antimicrobial activity. According to the results, Coolmax® for moisture management, Airclo® for thermal control and Seacell® for antimicrobial activity present the best performances as technical textiles for sportswear for the respective specific functional property.