Changes in Physical and Functional Properties of High-Density and PU Coated Water-Repellent Woven Fabrics After Repeated Laundering

This study analyzed the changes in physical and functional properties of high-density and PU coated water-repellent fabrics due to repeated laundering. To compare the water repellency, tensile strength, stiffness, and rubbing fastness of the fabrics according to their water repellency imparting method, two types of polyester woven fabrics with similar structural properties but different water repellency imparting method, that is, high-density weaving and PU coating, were used. In addition, to analyze the effect of the number of laundering, the water-repellent fabrics were laundered 1 time, 10 times, and 25 times, and then their physical properties were compared with those of unlaundered fabrics. It was found that, regardless of laundering, the high-density water-repellent fabric was generally stiffer and less elastic than the PU coated water-repellent fabric. Also, both types of fabrics had decreased water repellency with the increased number of laundering. In the case of the PU coated fabric, the original water repellency of Grade 5 was generally well maintained until 10 times of repeated laundering, but decreased sharply to Grade 1 when laundered more times. On the other hand, the original water repellency of the high-density fabric, which was Grade 4, decreased to Grade 2 after 10 times of laundering, but the decreased grade was maintained with subsequent repeated laundering.