EXAMINATION OF SORONA® CHARACTERISTICS IN BLENDED FABRICS THROUGH TESTING DURABILITY, ABRASION RESISTANCE, WRINKLE RECOVERY, AND DIMENSIONAL STABILITY

Publication Date

4-5-2019

Document Type

Poster

Degree Type

Undergraduate

Department

Family and Consumer Sciences

Mentor

Ui-Jeen Yu

Mentor Department

Family and Consumer Sciences

Abstract

Fashion manufacturing has a high amount of textiles, water, chemicals, and energy waste associated with every step in the production process, making the fashion industry fourth in environmental impact. The surge of sustainable practices, innovations, and materials has ushered in a demand for environmentally- conscious products to reduce fashion's impacts. With an increase in consumers' demands for eco-friendly and renewable fibers, DuPont produces Sorona® manufactured with 37% plant-based materials to avoid a significant amount of petrol processing. Sorona® is known for its soft hand and claims to superior stretch recovery, wrinkle recovery, dimensional stability, and durability. Since few studies feature the presence of Sorona®-blended fabrics, this study aims to examine key performance characteristics of DuPont's Sorona® in today's market, while also promoting Sorona® as a suitable, superior alternative to petrol- manufactured fibers. Three different types of Sorona®-blended fabrics with polyester, cotton, and wool were tested using ASTM and AATCC standard test methods: ASTM D3886 Abrasion Resistance (Inflated Diaphragm Method), ASTM D 3885 Abrasion Resistance (Flexing and Abrasion Method), AATCC 93 Abrasion Resistance (Accelerotor Method), AATCC 128 Wrinkle Recovery (Appearance Method), and AATCC 135 Dimensional Changes in Automatic Home Laundering. Results indicate Sorona®-blended fabrics are durable and resistant to flat, flex, and multi-directional abrasions, while retaining dimensional stability. However, different from DuPont's claims, these Sorona®-blended fabrics are unacceptable in wrinkle recovery, depending on blends with natural fibers, such as cotton and wool. Claims made about the excellent wrinkle recovery features for Sorona® are not as accurate as informed or advertised to consumers, misconstruing them about the actual quality of these Sorona®-blended fabrics. More accurate information about the performance features of Sorona®-blended fabrics should be provided to consumers to meet their expectations in consuming environmentally-conscious textile products.

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