What influences mesh shrinkage?

For various reasons, the production process may experience problems in textile processing, which is responsible for the refinement of the fabrics used. Mesh shrinkage can be linked to chemicals, production bottlenecks or inadequate calculation of acids and other products.

Paying attention to these factors that affect the dimensional stability of a fabric is essential to avoid financial losses, waste of raw materials and a drop in production quality, as this interferes with the customer experience. Understand more about the subject below.

What is mesh shrinkage?

The shrinkage of a fabric, such as knitted fabric, is measured by its so-called dimensional stability. When this index is low, items tend to shrink and have their seams damaged when washed or exposed to the elements.

This contraction is noticed in knitwear that uses natural fibers, mainly cotton, as they are more likely to undergo dimensional changes. In thermoplastic fiber meshes, this does not happen, as they can receive heat treatment that prevents their shape from changing.

What are the factors that influence mesh shrinkage?

Mesh instability, which generates problems in textile processing, is caused by changes and imbalances in the fabric production process. Check out what these factors are and how they happen.

Voltage

During manufacturing, fabrics undergo stress that causes the fibers to stretch. When this force is removed, the product retracts due to the action of elasticity. To do this, this retraction requires water, heat or specific movements.

This entire process of tension and retraction changes the molecular structures of the mesh fibers, making shrinkage more common and easier to occur.

Humidity and temperature

Moisture absorption is a direct factor in problems in textile processing, as it affects both shrinkage and weight. This happens because the use of water or exposure to humidity tends to cause a decrease in tension, which results in shrinkage. The same happens when the mesh is exposed to heat from washers or dryers, for example.

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Chemical procedures in mesh shrinkage

Natural fiber knits are more prone to sensitivity, tension, temperatures and chemicals. Some dyeing and finishing processes can reduce the shrinkage rate of a fabric, as they act on its cellulose molecules.

Fabric types

The rate of dimensional stability, and consequently the problems of textile processing, vary depending on the density, thickness of the yarn, fiber, type and weaving method which, in turn, is influenced by the raw material used.

Typically, the minimum levels of shrinkage are in synthetic fibers and mixed fabrics (natural and synthetic). At an intermediate level are linen and cotton, and the maximum shrinkage is noticed in viscose fabrics, especially when subjected to heat.

What are the means of preventing or controlling shrinkage and the factors that cause problems in textile processing?

Prevention and control over shrinkage must be done through structured management of the production process. There are techniques for both treatment and knowledge of fiber contraction and retraction rates.

The treatments, through the action of thermoplasticity, restore the tissue and contraction to the original state. Devices and machines allow testing the percentage of shrinkage so that the production process acts based on this information and problems are avoided.

Such actions make it possible to minimize losses caused by shrinkage and, consequently, financial and raw material losses.

To avoid and control textile processing problems, it is necessary to have clear standards and procedures throughout the entire production process, from the purchase and origin of raw materials to finishing.

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