LAUSR

Fabric deformation occurs as a result of stress relaxation induces disturbances in textile function. Pressure garments, pressure bandages, and varicose stockings are some textiles whose performance is affected by the stress relaxation in the components of a fabric. In this study, we investigate the effect of fabric structure on the stress relaxation of weft-knitted fabrics. Rib knitted fabrics with different miss stitches in successive wales were fabricated, and their stress relaxation was evaluated in both course and wale directions. The results show that the fabric structure significantly affects the stress relaxation. As the number of miss stitches increases, the fabric stress relaxation increases in both course and wale directions. In all fabric structures, stress relaxation is higher in the wale direction than that in the course direction. Utilization of the miss stitch in the structure of compression garments, varicose stockings, and pressure bandages is not recommended since miss stitch diminishes their functionality as a result of stress relaxation.