TEKSTIL VE KONFEKSIYON, vol.20, no.1, pp.41-47, 2010 (SCI-Expanded)
Silicones are the most widely used softeners in textile industry. Silicone softeners are classified into three groups according to particle size; macro, micro and nano-silicones. Nano-silicone softeners penetrate the fabric inner structure more easily than others. Due to the fact that nano-silicone softener application area widens rapidly in commercial use, we give a comparison with respect to performance and color fastness properties of knitted fabrics with and without nano-silicone softener in this study. We obtained and evaluated the properties as abrasion and pilling resistance, rubbing, dry cleaning, and washing fastness using four different knitted samples. Fabrics with nano-silicone softener exhibited poor abrasion but better pilling resistance. Nano-silicone softener treatment does not have significant effect on color fastness properties of knitted fabrics.