Relaxation Shrinkage of Wool Fabrics: Its Release with Regain and Time

Abstract

Relaxation shrinkage occurs in wool fabrics when strains set into the fabric are released, usually by the effects of moisture. In this paper, the dependence of relaxation shrinkage on the amount of moisture added and on the time are examined. It is shown that, for fabrics at various stages of finishing, shrinkage is approximately a linear function of the amount of moisture added, up to the point of fiber saturation. It also appears that shrinkage takes place rapidly, being almost complete within thirty minutes of spraying with distilled water at room temperature.