Comparative Evaluation of the Functional Performance of Soybean Protein Fiber Fabrics for Sportswear Applications

Öz

Recent developments in the textile industry have increased the demand for innovative and environmentally friendly materials that combine sustainability, technical functionality, and user comfort. Fabrics intended for sportswear applications are expected to provide multiple performance characteristics simultaneously, including moisture management, air permeability, UV protection, and surface durability. In this context, soybean protein fiber (SPF), a biodegradable fiber derived from renewable resources, has attracted attention as a promising alternative fiber for textile applications. This study comparatively evaluated the functional performance of knitted fabrics produced from SPF, cotton, polyester, Tencel, modal, and bamboo fibers. Six standardized tests relevant to sportswear performance were conducted, namely bursting strength, pilling resistance, air permeability, water vapor permeability, capillary absorption, and UV transmittance. The results demonstrated that SPF fabrics exhibited strong overall performance, particularly in bursting strength, pilling resistance, water vapor permeability, capillary absorption, and UV protection. SPF fabrics achieved the highest ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) among all tested samples while maintaining competitive mechanical and comfort-related properties. The findings indicate that soybean protein fiber represents a promising textile alternative, with potential for sportswear applications requiring both technical performance and sustainability.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Soybean protein fiber,
• sportswear,
• moisture management,
• UV protection,
• functional performance

Soya Proteini Liflerinden Üretilen Kumaşların Spor Giyim Uygulamaları İçin Fonksiyonel Performanslarının Karşılaştırmalı Değerlendirilmesi

Öz

Tekstil endüstrisinde sürdürülebilirlik, teknik performans ve kullanıcı konforunu bir arada sunabilen yenilikçi malzemelere olan ilgi giderek artmaktadır. Spor giyim uygulamalarında kullanılan kumaşlardan nem yönetimi, hava geçirgenliği, ultraviyole (UV) koruması ve yüzey dayanımı gibi çok yönlü performans özelliklerini aynı anda sağlamaları beklenmektedir. Bu bağlamda, yenilenebilir kaynaklardan elde edilen ve biyobozunur özellik gösteren soya proteini lifi (SPF), tekstil uygulamaları için umut vadeden bir alternatif lif olarak dikkat çekmektedir. Bu çalışmada, SPF liflerinden üretilen örme kumaşların fonksiyonel performansları; pamuk, polyester, Tencel, modal ve bambu liflerinden üretilen kumaşlarla karşılaştırmalı olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Araştırma kapsamında spor giyim performansı açısından önemli olan patlama mukavemeti, boncuklanma direnci, hava geçirgenliği, su buharı geçirgenliği, kapiler emicilik ve UV geçirgenliği olmak üzere altı standart test uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlar, SPF kumaşların özellikle patlama mukavemeti, boncuklanma direnci, su buharı geçirgenliği, kapiler emicilik ve UV koruması açısından başarılı bir genel performans sergilediğini göstermiştir. SPF kumaşlar, incelenen tüm örnekler arasında en yüksek ultraviyole koruma faktörüne (UPF) ulaşırken, mekanik ve konfor özellikleri bakımından da rekabetçi sonuçlar ortaya koymuştur. Bulgular, soya proteini lifinin teknik performans ve sürdürülebilirlik gereksinimlerini birlikte karşılayabilme potansiyeline sahip, spor giyim uygulamaları için umut vadeden bir tekstil alternatifi olduğunu göstermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Soya proteini lifi,
• spor giyim,
• UV koruması,
• nem yönetimi,
• lif karşılaştırması

Kaynakça

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