Physical properties of plain single jersey-knitted fabrics made from blended and core-spun polysulfonamide/cotton yarns

Plain single jersey structured fabrics were knitted from 100% polysulfonamide (PSA) yarn, and from PSA85/Cotton15 and PSA70/Cotton30 blended and core-spun yarns. PSA and cotton were blended and core-spun to improve the processability and mechanical properties of PSA. The mechanical properties, including burst strength, abrasion resistance, air permeability, water vapour permeability, and flame retardant properties of the knitted fabrics were investigated and compared. The results showed a reduction in burst strength with decreasing PSA ratio. 70/30 core-spun fabrics recorded the lowest burst strength (295 cN/tex). In terms of air permeability, core-spun yarn fabrics recorded a minimum decrease of 9% and 15% for 85/15 and 70/30 blend ratios, respectively, compared with their blended yarn fabric counterparts. However, blended yarn fabrics showed the highest increase in abrasion resistance and water vapour permeability, 47% and 18%, respectively. Core-spun yarn fabrics had good flame retardant properties, with a limiting oxygen index between 26.3 and 33.5.