Invista North America S.a.r.l.

Invista Technologies S.a.r.l.

Sharon W Birk

Yashavant V Vinod

Fred C Wynegar

Kevin A Frankel

Douglas A Bloom

Xiangming Kong

Knit fabrics and military apparel such as T-shirts made therefrom are disclosed. The fabrics are constructed from blended yarns made from an intimate combination of nylon and cotton staple fibers. Such fabrics comprise a weight ratio of cotton to nylon which ranges from about 55:45 to about 85:15, and these fabrics also have a weight ranging from about 3 to about 8 oz/yd. Knit fabrics of this type possess a desirable combination of good thermal protective properties, provided the specified high level of staple fiber blend uniformity is achieved, along with very useful abrasion resistance, bursting strength and drying time characteristics.

Knit fabrics and base layer garments made therefrom with improved thermal protective properties

A stretchable fabric comprising NYCO fabric with about 2 to about 4 wt. % elastic, such as an elastane as LYCRA&#xae;, is disclosed. The stretchable fabric of the invention exhibits about 20 to about 50% fabric stretch, and is suitable for application in combat uniforms where mobility and comfort are desirable. The stretchable fabric maintains or exceeds substantially all military uniform standard requirements and exhibits characteristics such as breaking strength, tear resistance, air permeability and abrasion resistance similar to that of NYCO fabric. Also disclosed is a garment manufactured from the stretchable fabric, as well as methods for manufacturing, dying and finishing the stretchable fabric.

Stretchable fabrics comprising elastics incorporated into NYCO for use in combat uniforms

Growing community of inventors

Wilmington, DE, United States of America

Sharon W Birk