The Structure and Compression of Medical Compression Stockings

This paper lays out standards of compression stockings and their classification into classes. The analysis of knitted fabric structure parameters, elongation and compression of moderate- and high-compression stockings was conducted. Stocking compression on specific parts of the stocking leg was measured on three sizes of a wooden leg model. For moderate-compression stockings, compression above the ankle was 32 hPa. For high-compression stockings, compression above the ankle was 60 hPa. Both groups of the analyzed compression stockings were made on modern one-cylinder hosiery automats. The legs of the stockings were made in single inlaid jersey 1 + 1. Both yarns were elastane covered. The finer yarn formed loops and its knitting into a course was significantly larger than in the other yarn, which was much coarser and does not form loops but “lay the weft in a bent way”. The smallest elongation of knitted fabric was above the ankle, where the highest compression was achieved, while the largest elongation was under the crotch, where the stocking leg exerted the smallest compression on the surface. The leg of the compression stocking acted as a casing that imposed compression on the leg and often reinforced it to be able to sustain compression loads.

Investigating the effects of some process parameters on the quality of coarse compact yarn produced from carded roving

This project work aimed to investigate the interactive effects of carded roving parameters (i.e., roving hank and twist) and break draft of ring frame on the quality of compact yarn such as evenness, strength and hairiness. However, in this work, compact spun yarns produced from carded roving hanks of 0.70Ne and 0.90Ne while the roving twist per meter inserted at two levels (i.e., 40 and 45) for each of hank. Moreover, the break draft values of ring frame kept at three levels (i.e., 1.15, 1.25 and 1.35) for each type of roving. However, 100% cotton compact yarns of 24Ne and 32Ne produced for this experimental investigation. However, results showed that yarn unevenness (U%) and imperfection index (IPI) values of compact yarn decreased for the finer roving hank (0.90Ne) irrespective of yarn fineness. It was also noticed that low twisted roving improved yarn evenness during coarser yarn (i.e., 24Ne) production. Regarding the count strength product (CSP) value, increasing levels of roving twist deteriorated the CSP results in general. Trend of CSP results also revealed that finer roving produced higher levels of CSP results for comparatively finer yarn production. As far as yarn hairiness is concerned, it was observed that finer roving (0.90Ne) having higher levels of twist reduced yarn hairiness irrespective of yarn fineness without any exception. Finally, it can be said that this study will help the researchers for comprehending the influences of the process parameters during the production of compact yarn from carded roving.

Development and characterization of conductive textile (cotton) for wearable electronics and soft robotic applications

This study aims to manufacture and characterize various types of conductive cotton fabrics through the copper metal coating approach. Thus, we selected nine-combed cotton knitted fabrics with different yarn fineness and elastane percentage in order to see the effect of these parameters on conductivity and physical properties of the samples. We also explored the surface morphology of all the knitted cotton fabric samples before and after the coating method via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed a remarkably uniform deposition of copper on the fabric surface, and performed SEM-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to determine the coated material content on the surface of the fabric after the metal coating process. The results revealed that knitted cotton fabric of 5% elastane with the finer yarn count (Ne = 40/1) showed excellent conductivity compared to the other knitted cotton fabric of 10% elastane with a finer count (Ne = 40/1) or coarser 5% elastane (Ne = 30/1). Therefore, the knitted cotton fabrics of 5% elastane having the finer count (Ne = 40/1) can be considered a suitable candidate for e-textile applications.

Impact of Machine Parameters on Knit Fabric GSM and Shrinkage

Knitted fabrics have a tendency to undergo some dimensional changes and GSM variation due to different knitting parameters. The investigation was carried out to relate the effect of different yarn counts, stitch lengths, machine gauge on fabric thickness variation and shrinkage behavior of the fabric. In this study the experimental results showed that fabric GSM varies as machine gauge changes by using same yarn count. On the contrary, when machine gauge and yarn count was fixed, the changes of fabric GSM was very negligible. For finer yarn count with different machine gauge GSM variation is more compared to coarser yarn count. But with same machine gauge GSM was very closer for both of finer and coarser yarn count. Fabric shrinkage both in lengthwise and widthwise is more fore finer yarn count than coarser yarn count. This study supports that, selection yarn count and calculation of stitch length was not only the way to meet buyer requirements regarding fabric thickness and shrinkage properties. The results found from this work will guide the determination to pick up right machine gauge, management of correct yarn diameter along with meticulous stitch length estimation.