The influence of mechanical action on felting shrinkage of wool fabric in the tumble dryer

Abstract

Felting shrinkage of untreated wool fabric occurs easily during tumble drying. Mechanical action applied on fabrics plays a significant part in felting shrinkage of wool fabric. In general, the more severe the mechanical action of a washing or drying machine, the more rapid is felting shrinkage. However, both the degree of mechanical action applied on fabric and the type of mechanical action could influence felting shrinkage of untreated wool fabric. In the current study, fabric movement and felting shrinkage of untreated wool fabric at different rotation speeds of the drum in a tumble dryer under no heating condition were studied. Based on the different fabric movements at different rotation speeds of the tumble drum, the extent of impact force and rubbing force at different rotation speeds were assessed through their ranking. The total mechanical action applied on the fabric was expressed by the percentage of thread removal of “thread removal fabric” during drying process. The results showed that lowest mechanical force on fabrics could be achieved when the higher rotation speed of the drum was used for drying wool fabrics in tumble dryers, and it could prevent wool felting shrinkage. It was also found that falling of the fabric followed by impact to the drum wall caused less felting shrinkage than sliding with rubbing between fabrics. Therefore, falling movement of fabric could be a potential method to dry wool fabric in drying machines without causing severe felting shrinkage.