Continuous Dyeing Tension Dynamics in Jammed Greige Fabric Architecture
Continuous dyeing of jammed greige fabrics requires web draft below 0.5 percent to prevent capillary collapse and preserve liquor penetration across yarn cores.
Washburn Capillary Transport
Capillary Flow
The rate of liquid absorption into a porous textile structure driven by capillary pressure follows a mathematical relation based on pore size and liquid viscosity. This Washburn capillary transport model is used to evaluate the wicking performance of medical and technical textiles. It governs moisture absorption.
Transport Kinetics
As a liquid contacts the yarn, it penetrates the spaces between the individual fibers, which act as a bundle of capillary tubes. The Washburn capillary transport equation states that the square of the penetration height is directly proportional to the tube radius and liquid surface tension. Chemists utilize this relationship to design fast-wicking finishes for synthetic sports shirts that draw moisture away from the body.
Laboratories measure this transport rate using microbalances that track the weight increase of a vertically suspended swatch.
Wicking Test
Samples are suspended in a water bath while sensitive force sensors measure the mass of water pulled up by the fabric over time. This continuous measurement allows technicians to calculate the average capillary pore radius. This test is vital for wound dressings.
Finishing Application
Wetting agents applied to synthetic webs alter the contact angle of the fibers, accelerating this capillary transport. High capillary flow keeps the garment feeling dry. Accurate modeling of Washburn capillary transport assists in the design of high-performance fabrics.