Development and Comfort Characterization of 2D-Woven Auxetic Fabric for Wearable and Medical Textile Applications

Knitted auxetic fabrics (AF) are in common practice but their stability and thickness are major problems in commercial applications. Therefore, a simple method of developing woven AF is proposed here. Differential shrinking property of different weaves is utilized to visualize auxetic honey comb geometry in fabric structure. Based on this fabric structure, auxeticity is induced in 2-D-woven fabric. AF is developed using conventional nonauxetic materials (i.e., cotton in warp and elastane [Lycra] yarn in the weft). Auxetic nature and auxetic structure in the fabric were characterized by microscope. Comfort properties (air permeability, thermal resistance, stiffness, and wicking) of AF were compared with conventional nonauxetic fabrics (NAF). Piezoresistive nature of conductive AF and NAF is also compared. AF showed superior comfort properties and higher sensitivity as compared to conventional NAF. Based on results, AF can be considered better replacement of conventional NAF in wearable and medical applications.