Change in the Properties of Textile Materials Containing Polyester and Cellulose Fibres Caused by Moisture

The hygroscopic properties, swelling, and change in the mechanical properties of thread containing polyester and natural cellulose fibres and one-component thread (yarn) were comprehensively investigated. The kinetics of swelling of textile materials is described by an exponential equation, and the coefficients of this equation are determined. It is shown that for yarn made of fibre blends, the equilibrium sorption and swelling values are satisfactorily described by additive dependences on the component content. It is found that equilibrium swelling is 2-3 times greater than equilibrium sorption of water vapors from air due to different mechanisms of binding of moisture with the fibres. It is shown that the breaking characteristics of flax and cotton varieties of yarn increase in swelling due to an increase in the frictional interaction between the fibres.