Some Effects of Construction on the Laundering Shrinkage of Wool Fabrics.

Studies were made of the effect or structural variables on the felting shrinkage of woven wool fabrics. Factors analyzed such as yarn count and texture revealed the importance of tightening the fabric structure as a means of reducing potential laundering shrinkage. Use of the "cover factor" computation, as defined by Peirce, provided a useful measure of the tightness of structure which could be correlated with shrinkage. Other measures of the tightness of fabric structure, such as air permeability and fabric rigidity, were also useful in predicting the potential shrinkage of these fabrics. Other structural parameters studied were yarn twist and weave. Yarn twist was found to have a significant effect on felting shrinkage and plain woven fabrics showed greater felting resistance than various twill weaves of similar texture.