AN ASSESSMENT OF SOFTNESS PROPERTY OF KNITTED GOLF FABRICS Available to Purchase

With increasing popularity for golf and the demand for good quality golf-shirts, the softness property for the sportswear was investigated in this research. Twenty-seven fine-gauge circular knitted samples from nine different knitted fabrics intended for golf shirt fabrics were assessment using both the subjective and objective methods. In the experiment, five mechanical properties which are considered significant in knitted fabric softness were evaluated, including Compression Resilience (RC), Surface Friction (MIU), Geometrical Roughness (SMD), Thickness (T) and Weight (W). The result implies that softness property is a feeling of springy (i.e., High in RC) with a smooth hand (i.e., Low in MIU and SMD). Also, knitted fabrics which are thin and light in weight are preferred in softness property. Fabric construction was also identified as a significant factor affecting softness with plain knitted ranked better than tuck knitted fabrics. Finally, a statistical model is proposed for evaluating softness of knitted golf fabrics using the recommended mechanical properties.