HK1132771A - Knit fabric and sports garment - Google Patents

Description

Knitted fabric and sportswear

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a knitted fabric excellent in the resistance to snagging without impairing the soft touch and stretchability which are characteristics of the knitted fabric, and a sportswear using the knitted fabric.

Background

Knitted fabrics are used for various clothing applications such as sportswear and underwear (inner lingerie) because they have excellent characteristics such as soft hand and stretchability. However, although the knitted fabric has such excellent characteristics, the constituent yarn thereof is formed into a loop and protrudes to the surface of the knitted fabric, and therefore, the knitted fabric has a drawback that the yarn hooking is more likely to occur than the knitted fabric.

In order to improve such a drawback of knitted fabrics, various studies have been made so far. For example, in order to increase the binding force of the yarn appearing on the surface of the knitted fabric, there are known a method of twisting the yarn constituting the knitted fabric (for example, see patent document 1), a method of increasing the density of the knitted fabric (for example, see patent document 2), a method of fixing the surface of the knitted fabric with a finishing agent, and the like.

However, the knitted fabric obtained by the above method has a problem that soft touch and stretchability, which are inherent characteristics of the knitted fabric, are impaired.

Patent document 3 describes that a low-torque composite yarn is obtained by interlacing a composite yarn of a false-twist textured yarn having a torque in the S direction and a false-twist textured yarn in the Z direction.

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2002-30548

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2003-247149

Patent document 3: japanese patent No. 3749549

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a knitted fabric which does not damage soft hand and stretchability and has excellent anti-snagging performance, and a sportswear made of the knitted fabric. The above object can be achieved by the knitted fabric and the sportswear of the present invention.

The knitted fabric of the present invention is a knitted fabric comprising a composite yarn, characterized in that the composite yarn is composed of 2 or more types of false-twist crimped yarn and has a torque of 30T/m or less.

Here, the composite yarn is preferably composed of a false-twist textured yarn having a torque in the S direction and a false-twist textured yarn having a torque in the Z direction. The composite yarn is preferably an interwoven yarn subjected to an interweaving process. The torque of the composite wire is preferably zero. The crimp ratio of the composite yarn is preferably 2% or more. In the composite yarn, the single-yarn fineness is preferably 4dtex or less. The composite yarn is preferably formed of a polyester fiber. Preferably, the polyester fiber contains 0.1 wt% or more of an ultraviolet absorber. In this case, the ultraviolet shielding rate of the knitted fabric is preferably 90% or more in the wavelength range of 280 to 400 nm. Further, it is preferable that the polyester fiber contains 0.2% by weight or more of a matting agent. In this case, the shielding rate of visible light in the range of 400 to 700nm is preferably 60% or more.

In the knitted fabric of the present invention, the stitch density is preferably in the range of 30 to 90 courses/2.54 cm and 30 to 90 wales/2.54 cm. Preferably, the knitted fabric has a multilayer structure including at least a surface layer and a back layer, and the composite yarn is disposed in the surface layer. Further, the knitted fabric preferably has a circular knitted fabric structure. In the knitted fabric of the present invention, the stretchability in the lateral direction measured according to JIS L1018 is preferably 50% or more. Further, the recovery from stretchability in the transverse direction measured in accordance with JIS L1018 is preferably 90% or more. Further, the snag resistance is preferably grade 3 or more, as measured for 15 hours by a hacksaw (カナノコ, hacksaw) according to JIS L1058D 3 method.

The sportswear of the present invention is a sportswear made using the above knitted fabric.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an explanatory view showing an example of a cross-sectional shape of a monofilament fiber that can be used in the knitted fabric of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The composite yarn contained in the knitted fabric of the present invention is composed of 2 or more types of false-twist crimped yarns different from each other in production conditions or fineness. Among the false twist textured yarns are: false twist setting of the false twist textured yarn in the first heater zone, so-called first heater false twist texturing; and a so-called second heater false twist textured yarn which reduces the torque by further introducing the yarn into a second heater zone and performing relaxation heat treatment. Further, there are false twist textured yarns having a twist in the S direction and false twist textured yarns having a twist in the Z direction depending on the twisting direction. In the present invention, these false twist crimped yarns can be used. In particular, if a composite yarn is composed of a false-twist textured yarn having a torque in the S direction and a false-twist textured yarn having a torque in the Z direction, a composite yarn having a low torque can be obtained, which is preferable.

The composite yarn can be produced by the following method, for example. That is, the yarn may be twisted by a twisting machine through a first roller and a heat treatment heater having a setting temperature of 90 to 220 ℃ (more preferably 100 to 190 ℃) to obtain a first heater false-twist crimped yarn, or may be further introduced into a second heater zone as necessary to perform relaxation heat treatment to obtain a second heater false-twist crimped yarn. The draw ratio in the false twist processing is preferably in the range of 0.8 to 1.5, and the false twist number (T/m) is (32500/(Dtex)^1/2) In the formula of × α, α is preferably 0.5 to 1.5, and may be generally 0.8 to 1.2 bits. Here, Dtex is the total fineness of the filaments. As twisting means used, disc or belt type friction twisting means are suitable since they easily guide the yarn and also rarely break the yarn, but alsoMay be a needle type twisting device. Further, depending on the direction of twisting, the twist direction of the false twist textured yarn may be selected to be the S direction or the Z direction. Then, the composite yarn can be obtained by combining 2 or more kinds of false twist crimped yarns.

The composite yarn is preferably provided with interlacing by an interlacing process. The number of interlaces is preferably in the range of 30 to 90/m so as not to impair soft touch and stretchability. If the number is more than 90 pieces/m, the soft touch and stretchability may be impaired. On the other hand, if the number is less than 30/m, the bundling property of the composite yarn is insufficient, and the knitting property may be impaired. Further, the interlacing treatment (interlace processing) may be performed by using a general interlacing nozzle.

The composite yarn thus obtained is required to have a torque of 30T/m or less (preferably 10T/m or less, and particularly preferably no torque (0T/m)). By forming a knitted fabric using the low-torque composite yarn, excellent hook resistance can be obtained without impairing the soft hand and stretchability. The lower the torque, the better, and most preferably no torque (0T/m). In order to make such a non-torque, when the false twist textured yarn having the torque in the S direction and the false twist textured yarn in the Z direction are combined, 2 kinds of false twist textured yarns having the same torque except for the direction of the torque are used.

In the composite yarn, the crimp ratio is preferably 2% or more (more preferably 10 to 20%). If the crimp ratio is less than 2%, a sufficiently soft touch and stretchability may not be obtained.

The composite yarn has a single fiber fineness of 4dtex or less (preferably 0.00002 to 2.0dtex, particularly preferably 0.1 to 2.0 dtex). The smaller the fineness of the monofilament, the better, and the diameter of the monofilament called nanofiber may be 1000nm or less. If the fineness of the single yarn is more than 4dtex, a soft touch may not be obtained. The total fineness of the composite yarn is preferably 33 to 220 dtex. The number of filaments of the composite yarn is preferably in the range of 50 to 300 (more preferably 100 to 300).

The cross-sectional shape of the monofilament of the composite yarn may be a normal circular cross-section, but may be a deformed cross-sectional shape other than a circular cross-section. Examples of the irregular cross-sectional shape include a triangle, a square, a cross, a flat with a wasp waist, an H-shape, and a W-shape. By adopting these irregular cross-sectional shapes, water absorption can be imparted to the knitted fabric. In particular, by adopting the flat and irregular cross-sectional shape with a waistline as shown in fig. 1, not only water absorption but also particularly excellent flexibility can be imparted to the knitted fabric. In this case, from the viewpoint of flexibility of the knitted fabric, the cross-sectional flatness represented by B/C1, which is the ratio of B to C1, where B is the length in the longitudinal center line direction of the flat cross-sectional shape and C1 is the maximum width C1 in the direction crossing the longitudinal center line direction at right angles, is preferably in the range of 2 to 6 (more preferably 3.1 to 5.0). In view of the water absorption of the knitted fabric, the ratio C1/C2 of the maximum value C1 to the minimum value C2 of the width is preferably in the range of 1.05 to 4.00 (more preferably 1.1 to 1.5).

The fibers constituting the composite yarn are not particularly limited, and polyester fibers, acrylic fibers, nylon fibers, rayon fibers, acetate fibers, and natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and silk, or fibers obtained by combining these fibers can be used. Polyester fibers are particularly preferred. The polyester is preferably a polyester in which an acid component mainly comprising terephthalic acid and a diol component mainly comprising at least one selected from alkylene glycols having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, i.e., ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, and hexylene glycol. Among them, a polyester containing a glycol component mainly composed of ethylene glycol (polyethylene terephthalate) or a polyester containing a glycol component mainly composed of propylene glycol (polypropylene terephthalate) is particularly preferable.

The polyester may have a small amount (usually 30 mol% or less) of a copolymerizable component as required. In this case, examples of the bifunctional carboxylic acid other than terephthalic acid to be used include aromatic, aliphatic and alicyclic bifunctional carboxylic acids such as isophthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, diphenyldicarboxylic acid, diphenoxyethanedicarboxylic acid, β -hydroxyethoxybenzoic acid, p-oxybenzoic acid, 5- (sodiosulfo) isophthalic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid and 1, 4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid. Examples of the diol compound other than the above diols include aliphatic, alicyclic, and aromatic diol compounds such as cyclohexane-1, 4-dimethanol, neopentyl glycol, bisphenol a, and bisphenol S, and polyoxyalkylene glycol.

The polyester may be synthesized by any method. For example, in the case of polyethylene terephthalate, it can be produced by a first-stage reaction in which terephthalic acid is directly esterified with ethylene glycol, or a lower alkyl ester of terephthalic acid such as dimethyl terephthalate is transesterified with ethylene glycol, or terephthalic acid is reacted with ethylene oxide to produce a glycol ester of terephthalic acid and/or an oligomer thereof, and a second-stage reaction in which the reaction product of the first stage is subjected to polycondensation reaction by heating under reduced pressure until a desired degree of polymerization is achieved. The polyester may be a polyester obtained by recycling materials or chemicals; or a polyester obtained by using a catalyst comprising a specific phosphorus compound and a titanium compound as described in Japanese patent application laid-open Nos. 2004-270097 and 2004-211268. Further, biodegradable polyesters such as polylactic acid and stereocomplex polylactic acid may be used.

It is preferable that the polyester contains an ultraviolet absorber in an amount of 0.1 wt% or more (preferably 0.1 to 5.0 wt%) based on the weight of the polyester, because the knitted fabric can be imparted with ultraviolet shielding properties. Examples of the ultraviolet absorber include a benzoxazine-based organic ultraviolet absorber, a benzophenone-based organic ultraviolet absorber, a benzotriazole-based organic ultraviolet absorber, a salicylic acid-based organic ultraviolet absorber, and the like. Among them, the benzoxazine-based organic ultraviolet absorber is particularly preferable in terms of not being decomposed at the stage of spinning.

As the benzoxazine-based organic ultraviolet absorber, those disclosed in Japanese patent application laid-open No. 62-11744 can be suitably exemplified. I.e., 2-methyl-3, 1-benzoxazin-4-one, 2-butyl-3, 1-benzoxazin-4-one, 2-phenyl-3, 1-benzoxazin-4-one, 2' -ethylenebis (3, 1-benzoxazin-4-one), 2, 2 '-butylidenebis (3, 1-benzoxazin-4-one), 2' -p-phenylenebis (3, 1-benzoxazin-4-one), 1, 3, 5-tris (3, 1-benzoxazin-4-one-2-yl) benzene, 1, 3, 5-tris (3, 1-benzoxazin-4-one-2-yl) naphthalene, and the like.

Further, if the polyester contains a matting agent (titanium dioxide) in an amount of 0.2 wt% or more (preferably 0.3 to 2.0 wt%) based on the weight of the polyester, the knitted fabric can be imparted with a barrier property, which is preferable.

The polyester may contain 1 or more of a fine pore forming agent (organic sulfonic acid metal salt), a coloring inhibitor, a heat stabilizer, a flame retardant (antimony trioxide), a fluorescent whitening agent, a coloring pigment, an antistatic agent (sulfonic acid metal salt), a moisture absorbent (polyoxyalkyleneglycol), an antibacterial agent, and other inorganic particles, as required.

The knitted fabric of the present invention contains the composite yarn described above. Here, the composite yarn is preferably contained in an amount of 70 wt% or more (particularly preferably 100 wt%) based on the total weight of the knitted fabric.

The density of the knitted fabric is preferably in the range of 30 to 90 courses/2.54 cm and 30 to 90 wales/2.54 cm in order to obtain a soft touch. If the density of the knitted fabric is more than this range, a soft touch may not be obtained.

In the knitted fabric of the present invention, the structure of the knitted fabric is not limited, and the knitted fabric may be a circular knitted fabric, a weft knitted fabric, or a warp knitted fabric. As the circular knitted fabric and the weft knitted fabric, a plain weave, a rib weave, an interlock weave, a links-links weave, a tuck weave, a float weave, a half-bed weave, a lace mesh weave, a plating weave, a design weave (knit-miss), a one-sided connection (one-sided connection), and the like can be preferably exemplified. Examples of the warp knitting structure include a single bar warp flat structure, a single bar warp satin structure, a double bar warp pile-warp flat structure, a back pile structure, and a jacquard structure. Among these, circular knitted fabrics are particularly preferable in terms of stretchability. The number of layers may be a single layer or a plurality of layers of 2 or more. The knitted fabric is preferably a multilayer structure having at least a surface layer (air side) and a back layer (skin side), and the composite yarn is disposed in the surface layer. By disposing the composite yarn in the surface layer, excellent hook resistance can be obtained.

The knitted fabric of the present invention can be easily knitted using the composite yarn described above by a general knitting machine. The knitted fabric of the present invention may be subjected to various processes such as dyeing finishing, water absorbing, water repelling, napping, ultraviolet shielding, or functions of an antibacterial agent, deodorant, insect repellent, luminous agent, retroreflective agent (retroreflective agent), or negative ion generator, which are conventionally used, as long as the purpose of the present invention is not impaired. Here, as the water absorbing process, it is preferable to apply a hydrophilizing agent such as polyethylene glycol diacrylate or a derivative thereof, or a polyethylene terephthalate-polyethylene glycol copolymer to the knitted fabric in one-bath processing at the time of dyeing, or to apply the hydrophilizing agent to the knitted fabric in the final setting step. The amount of the hydrophilic agent adhering is preferably in the range of 0.25 to 0.50 wt% based on the weight of the knitted fabric.

In the knitted fabric of the present invention, since the composite yarn of low torque is arranged, the surface of the knitted fabric becomes flat, and the stitches of the knitted fabric are difficult to be hooked, so that excellent yarn hooking resistance can be obtained. As the snagging resistance, it is desirable that the snagging resistance is at least 3 level in 15 hours according to a steel saw test of JIS L1058D 3 method.

In addition, in the knitted fabric of the present invention, the composite yarn exhibits a soft texture and stretchability. The stretchability is preferably 50% or more (preferably 80 to 130%) in the transverse direction as measured according to JIS L1018. The recovery from stretchability in the machine direction measured according to JIS L1018 is preferably 90% or more.

In addition, when the knitted fabric of the present invention contains a polyester fiber composed of a polyester containing an ultraviolet absorber, the knitted fabric exhibits ultraviolet shielding properties. In this case, the ultraviolet shielding property is preferably 90% or more (more preferably 95 to 100%) of the ultraviolet shielding rate in the wavelength range of 280 to 400 nm.

In addition, when the knitted fabric of the present invention contains a polyester fiber made of a polyester containing a matting agent, the knitted fabric exhibits barrier properties. In this case, the permeability of the knitted fabric is preferably 60% or more (more preferably 65 to 80%) of the shielding rate of visible light having a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm.

Next, the sportswear of the present invention is produced using the aforementioned knitted fabric. Since the sportswear uses the knitted fabric, the sportswear is excellent in the yarn hooking resistance without impairing the soft touch and stretchability.

[ examples ]

The following will describe examples of the present invention and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. The measurement items in the examples were measured by the following methods.

(1) Torque moment

A sample (crimped yarn) was pulled in a transverse direction of about 70cm, and an initial load of 0.18mN X display characteristics (2mg/de) was suspended in the center, and then both ends were doubled.

The yarn starts to rotate due to the residual torque until the initial load is stationary, and is held in this state, whereby twisted yarn is obtained. The twisted yarn thus obtained was measured for a twist count of 25cm in length with a twist tester under a load of 17.64mN X display characteristics (0.2 g/de). The twist number (T/25cm) obtained was multiplied by 4 times to obtain a torque (T/m).

(2) Degree of interleaving

The interwoven yarn was taken to have a length of 1m under a load of 8.82mN × display characteristics (0.1g/de), and after removing the weight, the number of knots after 24 hours of relaxation and shrinkage at room temperature was read and expressed in terms of pieces/m.

(3) Resistance to snagging

The evaluation was carried out according to JIS L1058D 3 method steel saw (15 hrs).

(4) Crimping rate

The sample strand was wound around a measuring tape having a circumference of 1.125m to prepare a skein having a dry fineness of 3333 dtex. The strand was suspended from a hanger of a dial (scaleboard), an initial load of 6g was applied to the lower portion thereof, and the length L0 of the strand was measured when a load of 600g was applied. Immediately thereafter, the load was removed from the strand, the strand was removed from the hanging nail of the scale plate, and the strand was immersed in boiling water for 30 minutes to develop a curl. The skein after the boiling water treatment was taken out of the boiling water, and water contained in the skein was removed by absorption with a filter paper, and air-dried at room temperature for 24 hours. The air-dried skein was hung on a hanging nail of a scale plate, a load of 600g was applied to the lower portion thereof, the length L1a of the skein was measured after 1 minute, thereafter the load was removed from the skein, and the length L2a of the skein was measured after 1 minute. The crimp ratio (CP) of the test filament yarn was calculated by the following equation.

CP(％)＝((L1a-L2a)/L0)×100

(5) Stretchability

The stretchability (%) was measured according to JIS L1018.

(6) Recovery rate of stretchability

Tensile recovery (%) was measured according to JIS L1018.

(7) Hand feeling

The hand was evaluated at 4 levels of "extra soft", "ordinary", "hard" according to sensory evaluation of 3 panelists.

(8) Shielding ratio of ultraviolet ray

The ultraviolet shielding rate in the wavelength range of 280 to 400nm was calculated using a spectrophotometer MPC-3100 manufactured by Shimadzu corporation.

(9) Shielding ratio of visible light

As an alternative characteristic of the barrier property, a visible ray shielding rate in the wavelength range of 400 to 700nm was calculated by using a spectrophotometer MPC-3100 manufactured by Shimadzu corporation.

(9) Content of matting agent

Calculated by the following equation.

The content (%) of the matting agent is the mass of the matting agent added (gr)/the mass of the polymer before addition of the matting agent (gr) × 100

[ example 1]

Melt spinning was performed at 280 ℃ from a normal spinning apparatus using a normal polyethylene terephthalate (content of the matting agent: 0.3 wt%), and the resulting yarn was drawn at 2800 m/min and wound up without drawing to obtain a half-drawn polyester yarn 145dtex/72fil (cross-sectional shape of monofilament fiber: circular cross-section).

Then, the polyester yarn was subjected to simultaneous draw-false twist texturing under conditions of a draw ratio of 1.6 times, a false twist number of 2500T/m (S direction), a heater temperature of 180 ℃ and a yarn speed of 350 m/min.

The polyester yarn was subjected to simultaneous draw-false twist texturing under conditions of a draw ratio of 1.6 times, a false twist number of 2500T/m (Z direction), a heater temperature of 180 ℃ and a yarn speed of 350 m/min.

Then, the false twist textured yarn having the S-direction torque and the false twist textured yarn having the Z-direction torque are combined and air-entangled to obtain a composite yarn(167dtex/144fil, crimp rate 12%, torque 0T/m). In this case, the air interlacing treatment was carried out by interlacing using an interlacing nozzle, and the air interlacing treatment was carried out at an overfeed rate of 1.0% and a pressurized air pressure (pressurized air pressure) of 0.3MPa (3 kgf/cm)²) 50/m interlaces are given.

Then, using the composite yarn, a plain weave circular knitted fabric was knitted by a 28G single bar circular knitting machine. Thereafter, the knitted fabric is subjected to a normal dyeing finishing process, and subjected to a water absorbing process in a final setting step. In addition, as the water absorbing treatment, 0.30 wt% of a hydrophilizing agent (polyethylene terephthalate-polyethylene glycol copolymer) based on the weight of the knitted fabric was attached to the knitted fabric.

The knitted fabric thus obtained had a basis weight of 135g/m²43 courses/2.54 cm, 41 wales/2.54 cm, 3-4 level of anti-snagging property, 85% of transverse stretchability, 95% of transverse stretchability recovery, soft hand feeling, and excellent in soft hand feeling, stretchability, and anti-snagging property. The knitted fabric is excellent in gas barrier property with a visible light shielding rate of 68% in a wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm.

When a T-shirt (sportswear) is sewn and worn using the knitted fabric, the knitted fabric is excellent in soft hand, stretchability, and snag resistance.

[ example 2]

In example 1, the number of false twists for only the Z-direction false twist was changed to 1800T/M, thereby obtaining a composite yarn (167dtex/144fil, crimp rate of 8%, torque of 10T/M). Otherwise, the same procedure as in example 1 was repeated.

The knitted fabric thus obtained had a basis weight of 140g/m²50 courses/2.54 cm, 45 wales/2.54 cm, 3-4 level of anti-snagging property, 80% of transverse stretchability, 92% of transverse stretchability recovery, soft hand feeling, and excellent in soft hand feeling, stretchability, and anti-snagging property.

[ example 3]

Melt spinning was performed at 280 ℃ from a normal spinning apparatus using a normal polyethylene terephthalate (content of the matting agent: 0.3 wt%), and the resulting yarn was drawn at 2800 m/min and wound up without drawing to obtain a half-drawn polyester yarn 90dtex/48fil (cross-sectional shape of monofilament fiber: circular cross-section).

Then, the polyester yarn was subjected to simultaneous draw-false twist texturing under conditions of a draw ratio of 1.6 times, a false twist number of 2500T/m (S direction), a heater temperature of 180 ℃ and a yarn speed of 350 m/min.

The polyester yarn was subjected to simultaneous draw-false twist texturing under conditions of a draw ratio of 1.6 times, a false twist number of 2500T/m (Z direction), a heater temperature of 180 ℃ and a yarn speed of 350 m/min.

Then, these false twist textured yarns having S-direction torque and Z-direction torque were combined and air-entangled to obtain a composite yarn (110dtex/96fil, crimp rate 7%, torque 0T/m). The air interlacing treatment was carried out by using an interlacing nozzle at an overfeed rate of 1.0% and a pressurized air pressure of 0.3MPa (3 kgf/cm)²) 60 interlaces/m are given.

Then, the composite yarn was used as a front side yarn, while a false twist crimped yarn (56dtex/72fil, crimp rate 13%, torque 40T/m) made of polyethylene terephthalate (content of matting agent 0.3 wt%) was used as a back side yarn, and a circular knitted fabric having a single-side knit structure was knitted by a 28G double bar circular knitting machine. Thereafter, the knitted fabric was subjected to a normal dyeing finishing process, and the same water absorbing process as in example 1 was performed in the final setting step.

The knitted fabric thus obtained had a basis weight of 175g/m²43 courses/2.54 cm, 32 wales/2.54 cm, 4-level resistance to snagging, 90% stretchability in the transverse direction, 96% recovery from stretchability in the transverse direction, and "soft" hand, which is excellent in soft hand, stretchability, and resistance to snagging.

[ example 4]

The procedure of example 1 was repeated, except that the polyethylene terephthalate used in example 1 contained 1.0 wt% of a 2, 2' -p-phenylenebis (3, 1-benzoxazin-4-one) organic ultraviolet absorber based on the weight of the polyethylene terephthalate. The obtained knitted fabric is a material having excellent ultraviolet-shielding properties and having an ultraviolet-shielding rate of 94% in a wavelength range of 280 to 400 nm.

[ example 5]

In example 1, the same as example 1 was applied except that the cross-sectional shape of the monofilament fiber was changed to a flat cross-sectional shape as shown in fig. 1, that is, 3 waists each side, the cross-sectional flatness B/C1 was 3.2, and the ratio C1/C2 was 1.2.

The resulting knitted fabric had a "particularly soft" hand. In addition, the knitted fabric is also excellent in water absorption.

[ example 6]

The present invention is the same as example 1, except that the cross-sectional shape of the monofilament fiber is changed to a cross-sectional shape in example 1.

The resulting knitted fabric had a "soft" hand. In addition, the knitted fabric is also excellent in water absorption.

[ example 7]

The procedure was carried out in the same manner as in example 1 except that in example 1, ordinary polyethylene terephthalate (content of the matting agent was 0.3 wt%) and ordinary polypropylene terephthalate (content of the matting agent was 0.3 wt%) were used.

The resulting knitted fabric had a "particularly soft" hand.

Comparative example 1

A plain-weave circular knitted fabric was knitted by a 28G single bar circular knitting machine using a false twist textured yarn (167dtex/144fil, crimp rate 14%, torque 45T/m) made of polyethylene terephthalate. Thereafter, the knitted fabric was subjected to a normal dyeing finishing process, and the same water absorbing process as in example 1 was performed in the final setting step.

The knitted fabric thus obtained had a basis weight of 130g/m²42 courses/2.54 cm, 41 wales/2.54 cm, 2-level hook resistance, 50% transverse stretchability, 85% transverse stretchability recovery, soft hand, and poor hook resistance.

Comparative example 2

A circular knitted fabric having a single-side knit structure was knitted by a 28G double bar circular knitting machine using a false-twist crimped yarn (110dtex/96fil, crimp rate of 10%, twist length of 35T/m) made of polyethylene terephthalate as the front side yarn and a false-twist crimped yarn (56dtex/72fil, crimp rate of 13%, twist length of 40T/m) made of polyethylene terephthalate as the back side yarn. Thereafter, the knitted fabric was subjected to a normal dyeing finishing process, and the same water absorbing process as in example 1 was performed in the final setting step.

The knitted fabric thus obtained had a basis weight of 130g/m²42 courses/2.54 cm, 41 wales/2.54 cm, 2-level hook resistance, 55% transverse stretchability, 88% transverse stretchability recovery, soft hand, and poor hook resistance.

A knitted fabric excellent in resistance to snagging and a sportswear using the knitted fabric can be provided without impairing the soft touch and stretchability, and they are highly practical.

Claims (19)

1. A knitted fabric comprising a composite yarn, characterized in that the composite yarn is composed of 2 or more types of false-twist crimped yarn and has a torque of 30T/m or less.

2. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein the composite yarn is composed of a false-twist textured yarn having a torque in an S direction and a false-twist textured yarn having a torque in a z direction.

3. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein the composite yarn is a interwoven yarn subjected to an interweaving process.

4. The knitted fabric of claim 1, wherein the composite filament has a torque of zero torque.

5. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein the crimp ratio of the composite yarn is 2% or more.

6. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein a single yarn fineness of the composite yarn is 4dtex or less.

7. The knitted fabric of claim 1, wherein the composite filament is comprised of polyester fibers.

8. The knitted fabric according to claim 7, wherein the polyester fiber contains 0.1% by weight or more of an ultraviolet absorber.

9. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the monofilament fiber of the false twist textured yarn is a deformed cross-sectional yarn other than a circular cross-section.

10. The knitted fabric according to claim 7, wherein the ultraviolet shielding rate in a wavelength range of 280 to 400nm is 90% or more.

11. The knitted fabric according to claim 7, wherein the polyester fiber contains 0.2% by weight or more of a matting agent.

12. The knitted fabric according to claim 7, wherein a visible light shielding rate in a wavelength range of 400 to 700nm is 60% or more.

13. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein the density of the knitted fabric is in the range of 30 to 90 courses/2.54 cm and 30 to 90 wales/2.54 cm.

14. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein the knitted fabric has a multilayer structure having at least a surface layer and a back layer, and the composite yarn is disposed in the surface layer.

15. The knitted fabric of claim 1, wherein the knitted fabric has a circular knit weave.

16. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein the stretchability in the transverse direction measured according to JIS L1018 is 50% or more.

17. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein the recovery from stretchability in the transverse direction measured according to JIS L1018 is 90% or more.

18. The knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein the snagging resistance is grade 3 or more in 15 hours of a steel saw test according to JIS L1058D 3 method.

19. A sportswear produced using the knitted fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 18.