An investigation on impact of knit structure on the comfort properties of Bell Pique and its derivative structures

Abstract

This study investigates the thermal comfort and moisture management properties of weft knit fabrics, Bell Pique and its three derivative structures. The influence of knit structure on various geometric and comfort properties is evaluated, including Loop length, Wales per inch, Course per inch, Tightness factor, Bursting strength, GSM, air permeability, warmth retention rate, thermal transmittance coefficient, thermal resistance, CLO, and moisture management. To construct the fabrics, a yarn linear density of 24s Ne is used, and three different loop lengths (0.265 cm, 0.285 cm, and 0.305 cm) are tested for each knit structure. The goal of this research is to compare the performance of four knit structures and determine how they affect the comfort properties of the resulting fabrics. It was observed that original Bell Pique remains the most well-rounded fabric, offering an optimal balance of thermal properties and moisture management, making it the preferable choice for commercial use.