Designing and Engineering Lightweight Knitwear Fabrics with Ultraviolet Protection Function

This project is aimed at studying the protective properties of lightweight knitwear fabrics against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The project will be studied into two approaches. The first approach is the non-chemical approach to understand the relationship between knitted fabric structures and UV protection under various knitting conditions. The fibre content, yarn construction, fabric weight, loop length, tightness factor, machine gauge and knitting tension will be systematically investigated. The second approach will be the chemical approach to reduce UV radiation. During textile wet process, dye and/or finishing agent will be added to the knitted fabric. The added chemicals may alter the UV radiation protection properties of the fabric due to the light absorption or reflection. As a result, this project will examine the influence of various concentrations of textile wet processing agents on the UV radiation properties of the knitted fabrics. Meanwhile, we will also consider the end-use conditions because during the normal use, the fabric may be subject to different surface processes and deformation leading to a change of fabric structure and construction when compared with the original one. Based on the data collected, empirical model will be established for providing helpful information in designing and engineering UV protection fabric.