Karl Mayer develops stretch velour fabric with HKS-3M

The velour fabric can be used to produce eye-catching evening wear or comfortable lounge wear for relaxing on the sofa. The ultra-comfortable pieces range from silky pyjamas, through tracksuits, to bathrobes and under garments, and have also been acceptable attire for the street since 2017. This casual look is in high demand from both men and women alike, especially during the cold months of the year.

Behind this warp-knitted textile, with its high powers of seduction and exceptional wear comfort, is a machine that delivers maximum performance. The fabric was produced on an HKS 3-M, 280’’ in E 32 on Karl Mayer’s stand at the recently held ITMA ASIA + CITME 2018 in Shanghai, the company said in a report.

To produce the fabric, ground guide bars, GB 2 and GB 3, worked a counter-notation tricot lapping from polyester, FDY, and elastane. GB 1 was also processing polyester. In combination with a textured micro-fibre yarn as a DTYversion, an extra-fluffy surface was produced after raising.

The underlaps made from the micro-fibre yarns are raised to produce the velour layer – a process that requires experience and know-how. With stretch fabrics in particular, there is a danger that the fabric will tear if the process is not carried out correctly. As long as all the processing stages are managed correctly, a durable, easy-care fabric can be produced. The technology of warp knitting means that the fibres in the pile of the textile have a high pull-out resistance, since the pile-forming layer is firmly tied into the ground by stitches.