18
S. Raja Balasaraswathi and R. Rathinamoorthy
variation in the amount of shedding concerning fabric type (100% acrylic, 100%
polyester, 65/35 P/C Blend) have reported that synthetic fibers shed more than that
of natural and synthetic blends. They have also reported that the pilling nature of
synthetic materials contributes to the higher shedding [27]. Generally, polyester pills
more. The reason behind this is the higher tenacity of polyester fibers which holds the
pills on the surface and rarely releases the fibers. One of the ways of reducing pills on
the surface is to reduce the tenacity of fibers that can ultimately lead to pill break off
due to fiber fatigue and improves the surface appearance [49]. This is generally done
in the fiber production stage itself where the additives like polyacid or polyhydric
alcohol and branching agents like pentaerythritol are added to the polymer itself
[50]. But the wear-off of pills can lead to an increase in the fiber shedding [27]. Yang
et al. who noticed higher shedding in the acetate fabric compared with polyamide and
polyester fabrics. They have also noticed that acetate fabric has exhibited poor pilling
resistance than the other two fabrics. With this, researchers concluded that the fabric
with poor pilling resistance tends to cause more shedding [23, 29]. It is important to
note that pilling can contribute to shedding to some extend but pill formation is not
essential as a previous step for shedding to happen [26].
4.3.3 Abrasion Resistance
Abrasion Resistance is the ability of the material to withstand the physical destruction
of fibers, yarns, and fabrics which results from the relative motion of the textile
surface over another surface during wear of the materials [51]. A textile material’s
abrasion resistance can depend on various factors including fiber fineness, yarn count,
yarn type, fabric construction, etc. [52]. It has been noted that the loss in weight or
reduction in fabric thickness due to abrasion is expressed as the elimination of fibers
of shorter length [53]. And hence the microfiber shedding can be compared with the
abrasion resistance property of the fabric. Zambrano et al. have analyzed the abrasion
resistance properties of the fabrics to compare them with the microfiber shedding
characteristics. They have concluded that the fabric with higher abrasion resistance
can withstand the stress during the laundry and exhibit lesser shedding [23].
4.4 Effect of Surface Finishes
Surface treatments or surface finishing is an important process of textile production.
Surface finishes are done to improve the properties of the textile materials or to
impart desired properties. Fabrics can be subjected to a wide variety of mechanical
and chemical treatments to achieve the required properties. However, these surface
treatments can potentially affect microfiber shedding behavior. Various studies have
been made to understand the variation in shedding behavior for different finishing
techniques.
S. Raja Balasaraswathi and R. Rathinamoorthy
variation in the amount of shedding concerning fabric type (100% acrylic, 100%
polyester, 65/35 P/C Blend) have reported that synthetic fibers shed more than that
of natural and synthetic blends. They have also reported that the pilling nature of
synthetic materials contributes to the higher shedding [27]. Generally, polyester pills
more. The reason behind this is the higher tenacity of polyester fibers which holds the
pills on the surface and rarely releases the fibers. One of the ways of reducing pills on
the surface is to reduce the tenacity of fibers that can ultimately lead to pill break off
due to fiber fatigue and improves the surface appearance [49]. This is generally done
in the fiber production stage itself where the additives like polyacid or polyhydric
alcohol and branching agents like pentaerythritol are added to the polymer itself
[50]. But the wear-off of pills can lead to an increase in the fiber shedding [27]. Yang
et al. who noticed higher shedding in the acetate fabric compared with polyamide and
polyester fabrics. They have also noticed that acetate fabric has exhibited poor pilling
resistance than the other two fabrics. With this, researchers concluded that the fabric
with poor pilling resistance tends to cause more shedding [23, 29]. It is important to
note that pilling can contribute to shedding to some extend but pill formation is not
essential as a previous step for shedding to happen [26].
4.3.3 Abrasion Resistance
Abrasion Resistance is the ability of the material to withstand the physical destruction
of fibers, yarns, and fabrics which results from the relative motion of the textile
surface over another surface during wear of the materials [51]. A textile material’s
abrasion resistance can depend on various factors including fiber fineness, yarn count,
yarn type, fabric construction, etc. [52]. It has been noted that the loss in weight or
reduction in fabric thickness due to abrasion is expressed as the elimination of fibers
of shorter length [53]. And hence the microfiber shedding can be compared with the
abrasion resistance property of the fabric. Zambrano et al. have analyzed the abrasion
resistance properties of the fabrics to compare them with the microfiber shedding
characteristics. They have concluded that the fabric with higher abrasion resistance
can withstand the stress during the laundry and exhibit lesser shedding [23].
4.4 Effect of Surface Finishes
Surface treatments or surface finishing is an important process of textile production.
Surface finishes are done to improve the properties of the textile materials or to
impart desired properties. Fabrics can be subjected to a wide variety of mechanical
and chemical treatments to achieve the required properties. However, these surface
treatments can potentially affect microfiber shedding behavior. Various studies have
been made to understand the variation in shedding behavior for different finishing
techniques.