MULTI-COMPONENT COMFORTABLE COOLING FABRIC AND PREPARATION METHOD THEREOF

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to the technical field of textile materials, and particularly to a multi-component comfortable cooling fabric and a preparation method thereof.

BACKGROUND

More and more consumers tend to purchase home textile products with special functions based on different seasons and different body constitutions. These home textile products include quilt covers, pillowcases, bed sheets, blankets, summer quilts, and the like. In hot summer, consumers tend to purchase home textile products made of cooling fabrics with a cool and smooth touch feeling to relieve uncomfortable feelings such as excessive sweat and stuffiness caused by sultry summer. However, most of the existing cooling products on the market are made of chemical fibers, which are stuffy and not air-permeable and cannot keep a cooling. In addition, the material components of these cooling products are all the same, resulting serious homogeneity. Therefore, there is a continuous need in the art to develop a comfortable cooling fabric made of multi-component materials.

SUMMARY

An objective of the disclosure is to provide a multi-component comfortable cooling fabric and a preparation method thereof. The prepared cooling fabric is superior to the conventional cooling fabric on the market in terms of cooling value, cooling duration, moisture absorption rate, and moisture-wicking performance. Meanwhile, this cooling fabric has good air permeability and softness, which significantly improves the comfort experience of the user's human body.

According to a first aspect, the disclosure provides a multi-component comfortable cooling fabric, which is formed by blending and spandex knitting several fibers with different properties. The several fibers with different properties comprise polyamide fibers with continuous cooling properties, regenerated cellulose fibers with high hygroscopicity, functional fibers with moisture-wicking properties and polyurethane fibers. The prepared fabric has a cooling, moisture-wicking performance, air permeability, and softness at the same time. Meanwhile, a unique texture effect is formed by utilizing the inconsistent degree of color absorption of semi-dull yarn, full dull yarn and other materials after dyeing, which has a differentiated appearance.

Preferably, according to the ratios of fibers used in the multi-component comfortable cooling fabric, the functional fibers with moisture-wicking properties component accounts for 20% to 30%, the polyamide fibers with continuous cooling properties component accounts for greater than or equal to 50%, the regenerated cellulose fibers component accounts for 5%-35%, and the polyurethane fibers component accounts for about 10%-13%.

Preferably, the multi-component comfortable cooling fabric selected the following yarns. The polyurethane fibers have a single fiber fineness of 20-30 D, and other fibers have a single fiber fineness of 30-70 D. The polyamide fibers with continuous cooling properties are semi-dull DTY, and viscose fibers comprise filaments of 70 D or staple fibers of 60S. The functional fibers with moisture-wicking properties comprise full dull FDY polyamide fibers or semi-dull FDY polyester fibers. The former is arranged in parallel to form a stripped structure. And, by doubling, the latter forms different colors, wherein the light color forms the pure color of the fabric, while the dark color forms the parti-color of the fabric. Diversity of the patterns of the fabric expands the application scope thereof.

Preferably, the multi-component comfortable cooling fabric adopts a wide, close-stitched and spandex knitted structure. The number of needles per inch on the knitting machine is 52/38, the gram weight of the fabric is 170-190 g/m2 and a fabric width of the fabric is 2.4 m to 2.9 m, so that the fabric is more suitable to be used as a cooling bedding fabric for home use.

Preferably, the polyamide fibers with continuous cooling properties are formed by adding cooling factors, nanoscale jade powders, into the polyamide fibers. And the polyamide fibers with continuous cooling properties have a cross section in an irregularly-shaped flat shape. Due to the special heat absorbing and releasing characteristics of the materials, the heat of the user's human body is continuously diffused, and the long-lasting cooling effect is kept. In the test for contact continuous cooling property of the fabric, the highest temperature within 5-60 minutes and the average temperature at the 60th minute can be both less than 30° C. Thus, this fabric is determined to reaches the indicator of Level 2 regarding the contact continuous cooling property.

Preferably, the functional fibers with moisture-wicking properties are modified polyamide fibers or polyester fibers. In particular, the functional fibers with moisture-wicking properties are designed with cross-shaped sections to increase grooves and gaps on the fiber surfaces, to increase moisture migration and water absorption, and to accelerate water vapor diffusion. Meanwhile, the fibers have strong hydrophobicity, and can quickly absorb sweat from the surface of the skin and diffuse the sweat to the surface of the fabric, so that the evaporation of the sweat is promoted, and the skin is kept dry and comfortable.

Preferably, the polyamide fibers with continuous cooling property are semi-dull drawing textured filament yarns (briefly referred to as DTY). The functional fibers with moisture-wicking property are full dull fully drawn filament yarns (briefly referred to as FDY) or semi-dull FDY polyester fibers. The regenerated cellulose fibers with high hygroscopicity comprise viscose filaments of 70 D or viscose staple fibers of 60S.

Preferably, the multi-component comfortable cooling fabric is dyed by an acid dye. Different texture effects, stripped structures, pure colors or parti-colors are formed on the surface of the fabric due to the different degrees of dye absorption, gloss of different fiber materials and different ratio of the fibers.

According to a second aspect, the disclosure provides a preparation method of a multi-component comfortable cooling fabric, wherein the weaving process adopts a wide-width weft knitting circular machine and a close-stitched and spandex knitted structure. The number of needles per inch on the knitting machine is 52/38, the gram weight of the fabric is 170-190 g/m2 and a fabric width of the fabric is 2.4 m to 2.9 m.

Compared with the prior art, the disclosure has the following advantageous effects: the cooling fabric described herein has the following properties, wherein the instant cooling in contact value Q-Max thereof is greater than 0.4 W/cm2, the drying rate after moisture absorption of the functional fabric with moisture-wicking property is greater than 0.3 g/h, the wicking height thereof is greater than 150 mm, the drip diffusion time thereof is less than 2 S, the water absorption rate thereof is greater than 14 0%, and the air permeability value thereof is larger than 180 mm/S. The fabric focused on moisture-wicking property has better water absorption performance and breathability. Meanwhile, in the test for contact continuous cooling property, the highest temperature within 5-60 minutes and the average temperature at the 60th minute are both less than 30° C. Thus, this fabric reaches the indicator of Level 2 regarding the contact continuous cooling property. The comprehensive indicators of the multi-component comfortable cooling fabric provided by the disclosure are higher than the ones as required by the standards presently effective in China. The cooling fabric on the market is made of a single material, sultry, non-hygroscopic and the cooling properties thereof is not continuous. In addition, the cooling fabric currently on the market cannot achieve the indicators as required by the standards presently effective in China while improving the comfort performances thereof in so many dimensions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The technical solution of the disclosure is further fully and detailed described below in combination with specific embodiments. The described embodiments are merely some but not all the embodiments of the disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the disclosure without inventive efforts shall fall within the protecting scope of the disclosure.

In a specific embodiment, the disclosure provides three embodiments of a multi-component comfortable cooling fabric. According to the fiber ratio of the fabric, the functional fibers with moisture-wicking properties component accounts for 20% to 30%, the polyamide fibers with continuous cooling properties component accounts for greater than or equal to 50%, the regenerated cellulose fibers component accounts for 5% to 35%, and the polyurethane fibers component accounts for about 10%-13%.

In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the functional fibers with moisture-wicking properties used are modified polyamide fibers or polyester fibers. In particular, the functional fibers with moisture-wicking properties are designed with a cross-shaped section, to increase grooves and gaps on the fiber surfaces, to increase moisture migration and water absorption, and to accelerate water vapor diffusion. Meanwhile, the fibers have strong hydrophobicity, and can rapidly absorb sweat from the surface of the skin and diffuse the sweat to the surface of the fabric, so that the evaporation of the sweat is promoted, and the skin is kept dry and comfortable.

In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the functional fibers with moisture-wicking properties used have a single fiber fineness of 50-70 D, and is semi-dull FDY.

In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the polyamide fiber with continuous cooling property used is prepared by the following method: injecting the cooling factors, jade ore powders, into polyamide fiber master batch by using a nanotechnology, and forming the cross section into an irregularly-shaped flat shape through a melt spinning process. Due to the special heat absorbing and releasing characteristics of the material, the heat of the user's human body is continuously diffused, and the long-lasting cooling effect is kept.

In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the polyamide fiber with continuous cooling properties used has a single fiber fineness of 50-70 D, and is semi-dull DTY.

In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the regenerated cellulose fiber with high hygroscopicity used is a viscose filament with a single fiber fineness of 50-70 D. This fiber has a nominal moisture regain of 13% and has high hygroscopicity.

In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the polyurethane fiber used has a single fiber fineness of 20-30 D and has high resilience.

In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the weaving process used in this fabric adopts a wide-width weft knitting circular machine and a close-stitched and spandex knitted structure. The number of needles per inch on the knitting machine is 52/38, the gram weight of the fabric is 170-190 g/m2 and a fabric width of the fabric is 2.4 m to 2.9 m.

In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the obtained fabric is silky, soft and air-permeable because the fiber with small denier number and filament structure was used, and the elastic spandex knitting process was used for weaving.

In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the test standard used to evaluate the cooling properties of the fabric is Japanese standard JIS L 1927:2020, and the testing instrument used is KES-F7 (THERMO LABO). The test conditions are as followings: temperature: 20±2° C., relative humidity: 65%+4%, and the test panel temperature difference: ΔT=20° C. Finally, the instant cooling in contact value Q-Max of the fabric is greater than 0.4 W/cm2, that is, the maximum instantaneous heat loss per square centimeter is 0.4 watts.

In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the test standard for the continuous cooling performance of the fabric follows T/CNGA 23-2021 “Garments—Testing and evaluation for contact continuous cooling property”. The principle is that after a dry sample is folded, a specified amount of grade 3 water is dripped into the center of the sample, a temperature sensor is placed at the water absorption center of the sample, then the sample is clamped by a clamp and placed in a test box with specified temperature and humidity, the temperature change of the sample along with the time within a specified time is recorded, and the continuous cooling of the sample is evaluated according to the temperature changes. Finally, according to the continuous cooling test result of the fabric, the highest temperature within 5-60 min and the average temperature at the 60th min are both lower than 30° C., and this evaluation determines that the indicator of Level 2 regarding contact continuous cooling property is achieved.

In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the test standard for moisture-wicking performance of the fabric follows GB/T 21655.1-2023 “Textiles-Evaluation of absorption and quick-drying”. Finally, the test results of the moisture-wicking performance of the fabric can reach: the drying rate after moisture absorption is greater than 0.3 g/h, the wicking height is greater than 150 mm, the drip diffusion time is less than 2 S, and the water absorption rate is greater than 130%, which is determined to have Level II moisture absorption and quick-drying indicator.

In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the standard value of the air permeability test of the fabric follows ASTM D737-2018 “Standard Test Method for Air Permeability of Textile Fabrics”. Test conditions: the sample area is 38 cm2, and pressure difference is 125 Pa. Finally, the air permeability test value of the fabric is greater than 500 mm/s, i.e., the air flow rate passing vertically through the sample per unit area per second.

EXAMPLES

The technical solutions of the disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in combination with specific examples. Unless otherwise stated, all reagents and raw materials used can be commercially available. Experimental methods without specified conditions in the following examples were conducted in accordance with conventional methods and conditions, or in accordance with the manufacturer's manual.

The raw material information involved in the following examples and comparative examples is shown in Table 1.

In the following examples, the weaving process used in this fabric adopts a wide-width weft knitting circular machine and a close-stitched and spandex knitted structure. The number of needles per inch on the knitting machine is 52/38, the gram weight of the fabric is 170-190 g/m2 and a fabric width of the fabric is 2.4 m to 2.9 m.

Examples 1-3

Examples 1-3 relate to the preparation of multi-component comfortable cooling fabric using different ratios of the continuous cool fiber, the regenerated cellulose fiber, the functional fibers with moisture-wicking properties and the polyurethane fiber. The specific fiber ratios and the performance characterization results of the raw materials used are shown in Table 2.

It can be known from the above results that the cooling fabric described herein could be prepared by three different methods. In Example 1, polyamide fibers with continuous cooling properties, viscose filament, polyamide fibers with moisture-wicking properties, and polyurethane fibers were used in combination, and a varying stripped structure was weaved. The Example 1 focuses on the cooling and moisture-wicking properties of the fabric. In Example 2, polyamide fibers with continuous cooling properties, viscose staple fibers, and polyurethane fibers were used in combination. The Example 2 balances various comfort indicators. In Example 3, polyamide fibers with continuous cooling properties, polyester fibers with moisture-wicking properties, and polyurethane fibers were used in combination. The Example 1 focuses on the cooling and moisture-wicking properties of the fabric.

For the cooling fabrics prepared in the Examples 1-3, the instant cooling in contact values Q-Max thereof are greater than 0.4 W/cm2. For the fabric with moisture-wicking properties, the drying rate after moisture absorption is greater than 0.3 g/h, the wicking height is greater than 150 mm, the drip diffusion time is less than 2 S, the water absorption rate is greater than 140%, and the air permeability value is larger than 180 mm/S. The fabric focused on moisture-wicking property has better water absorption performance and breathability. Meanwhile, in the continuous cooling test of the fabric, the highest temperature within 5-60 minutes and the average temperature at the 60th minute are both less than 30° C., so that the indicator of Level II regarding contact continuous cooling property is achieved. The comprehensive indicators of the multi-component comfortable cooling fabric provided by the disclosure are higher than the ones as required by the standards presently effective in China.

The above description of the embodiments is to facilitate those of ordinary skill in the art to understand and apply the present disclosure. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications to these embodiments may be made, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without inventive efforts. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments herein. Improvements and modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the contents disclosed in the present disclosure without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure are all within the scope of the present disclosure.