Effect of woven fabric structure on the air permeability and moisture management properties

In this study, six different woven samples were produced on air jet loom with two different weave designs (i.e. 3/1 twill
and 1/1 plain), three different picking sequences (i.e. single pick insertion (SPI), double pick insertion (DPI) and three
pick insertion (3PI)). All the woven samples were singed, desized, bleached and finished together at industrial scale, as a
single lot. The effect of these factors on the wetting, wicking and air permeability (AP) of the fabric samples was
analysed. It was revealed that the fabric weave design and picking sequence has statistically significant effect on fabric
wetting time, water spreading speed and AP of the fabric. It was found that fabrics woven in twill weave design and
with simultaneous 3PI give significantly better AP, shorter wetting time and better water spreading rate as compared to
plain woven fabrics and those with double or SPI. It could be concluded that the thermophysiological comfort of woven
fabrics may be significantly improved simply by selecting a suitable weave design and picking sequence.