Study on comfort characteristics of seams

Abstract

In the study of optimizing the stitch density concerning seam comfort, newlinetwo-seam classes were chosen. They are, Superimposed seam ((SSa-2)/514) newlineconstructed using Overlock stitch class 514 and lapped Seam ((LSa-1)/605) newlineusing Flatlock stitch class 605 class as per ASTM D6193-1. Each seam class newline(LSa-1 and SSa-2) is constructed with four different stitch densities: SPI 10, newlineSPI 14, SPI 18, and SPI 22 using 100% spun polyester sewing thread. All the newlineconstructed seams were investigated for moisture management properties, newlinethermal comfort, and physical properties. The moisture management newlineproperties of seamed fabric in terms of the spreading speed, area of spreading, newlineabsorption time, wetting time, one-way transport index, and overall moisture newlinemanagement capability (OMMC) on the seam line were investigated. It was newlineobserved from the results that the seams made with low stitch density show newlinebetter moisture management capability, and the lapped seam exhibits better newlinemoisture management capability when compared to the superimposed seam. newlineComparing all the seams with different stitch densities, it is concluded that the newlineseam constructed with SPI 10 had given the optimum level of moisture newlinemanagement characteristics. newlineThe stitch density, seam type, and stitch class play a vital role in newlinedetermining the moisture management capability of seams. An increase in newlinestitch density has a significant influence on the overall seam thermal comfort newlineproperties such as thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, air permeability, newlinemoisture vapor transmission, wicking, bending, compressions, and surface newlineroughness. The selected seam types are not significantly influencing the air newlinepermeability and water vapor permeability of the seams. Similar results were newlineseen for both lapped and superimposed seams for all the stitch densities newline