Elastic Behavior
Time-dependent property of a textile yarn involves the gradual recovery of its length after it has been subjected to tensile stress during weaving or spinning. Yarn viscoelastic recoil describes the tendency of a fibre to slowly return toward its original length rather than snapping back instantly or remaining permanently elongated. This property is a result of the molecular structure of synthetic and natural polymers.
Fabric Dimensionality
Stresses applied during high speed loom operations stretch the yarn considerably. Once the fabric is removed from the loom, yarn viscoelastic recoil begins to change the dimensions of the cloth over several hours or days. This delayed contraction can lead to unexpected changes in fabric width and density if the material is not allowed to relax before further processing.
Recovery Challenge
Managing this recovery is necessary in the production of stretch fabrics and those containing high amounts of elastane. If the yarn viscoelastic recoil is not accounted for during the design of the weave, the finished garment may be smaller than intended. Mills often use steam or heat treatments to stabilize the yarns and minimize the effects of this recoil.
Technical Assessment
Laboratory testing for creep and recovery provides data on how a specific yarn lot will behave under industrial conditions. These metrics define the necessary adjustments for machine settings to compensate for the anticipated shrinkage.
