The different types of fabric shrinkage

The term “shrinkage” can be defined as the change in the size of a fabric or garment. This dimensional change can be positive (growth or lengthening) or negative (shrinking) for the length, width and thickness of the fabric.Although the thickness of the fabric also changes due to processing and use, this is not usually considered a problem. In a cotton fabric, shrinkage is the loss of length and/or width dimensions. In garments, shrinkage is not only related to the change in fabric dimensions, but can also be related to other parameters such as fraying of seams, looping, and the overall fit of the garment.

Shrinkage is the process by which a fabric becomes smaller than its original size, usually as a result of the laundry process. Cotton fabric has two main disadvantages: It shrinks and wrinkles during subsequent washings. However, there are fabrics that are naturally more shrink resistant. Synthetic fibers such as polyester or nylon generally shrink less than others, but are not 100% shrink resistant.

 

Types of fabric shrinkage:

1, Construction shrinkage:

After a cotton fabric has been produced on a knitting or weaving machine, it acquires properties specific to the varying construction of the yarn used. These properties or conditions are called the raw state and can be tested for various characteristics, including shrinkage. The type of shrinkage measured at this stage is defined as constructional shrinkage, which is the amount of dimensional change in the fabric based solely on the design variables used to make the fabric. Structural shrinkage is measured after fabrication but before subsequent processes.

2, Processing shrinkage:

The dyeing and finishing processes and the garment manufacturing process affect the dimensions of the product. Some processes have a greater influence than others.

These steps lead to processing shrinkage, which can be defined as the change in dimensions that the process adds to or subtracts from the structural shrinkage of the fabric, thereby changing the residual shrinkage. Both length and width dimensions are affected, and fabrics can be both stretched and compacted. In most cases, wet processing stretches the length and reduces the width. Some of this shrinkage is elastic shrinkage and can be easily restored; however, some dimensional changes cannot be restored because the elastic limits of the fabric were exceeded during its manufacture.

3, Elastic shrinkage:

Elastic shrinkage is the change in the size of a fabric resulting from the ability of the fabric to relax freely under the stresses produced during manufacturing and other treatments.

4, Drying shrinkage:

Drying shrinkage is the change in fabric size resulting from the “deswelling” of fibers, yarns and structures during the drying process. The structure shrinks on its own due to the physics of drying. Continuous processes during dyeing and drying preparation generally stretch the length and stretch or reduce the width, sometimes going beyond their elasticity, changing the relaxed dimensions.

 

There are also two types of shrinkage that occur during washing: In the direction of length and In the direction of width.

Usually a square area is drawn on the shrinkage material and measured. The marked fabric is boiled in fresh water in a wash cycle for 30 minutes, centrifuged and air dried. The dimensions of the square are measured without ironing the dried fabric, and the shrinkage is determined. A well-fitting fabric should have a residual shrinkage of no more than 1%.

We hope that this article is useful to you. Check out our website for more information on fabrics and industry news. For any inquiry, please do not hesitate to contact with us.


Post time: Feb-12-2023