PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES OF TERRY TOWELS MADE FROM OPEN-END AND RING-SPUN YARNS.

There is no difference in the water absorption rate of ring-spun and open-end (OE) terry towels but the maximum absorption for OE towels is better than for ring-spun towels at lower fabric density and for comparable fabric weight. Higher pile length and fabric weight favor greater water absorption but only high pile density increases the water absorption rate. The abrasion resistance of ring towels is better than that of OE towels in both dry and wet states. The abrasion resistance of fabrics is significantly lowered on wetting. Longer pile length and moderate pile density contribute to imparting maximum abrasion resistance.