Abstract
Elastane-containing fabrics are widely used in textile applications due to the comfort and flexibility they provide. Despite these advantages, various problems such as pilling, dimensional changes, surface deterioration, and elastane protrusion may occur during use and care processes, affecting both the appearance and performance of the fabric. Therefore, evaluating the structural and performance properties of elastane-containing fabrics is important for assessing their serviceability and quality. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the structural and performance characteristics of a plain-woven fabric composed of 90% polyester and 10% elastane. For this purpose, a series of physical, mechanical, surface, and color-related tests were conducted, including fabric weight, thickness, warp and weft density, fabric and yarn tensile strength, air permeability, pilling resistance, color measurement, laundering fastness, and rubbing fastness. In addition, test results provided by the manufacturer were incorporated into the evaluation and compared with the laboratory findings. The results indicated that the investigated fabric exhibited generally favorable performance in terms of structural properties, strength behavior, surface appearance, and color durability. No significant surface deterioration or elastane protrusion was observed during the surface evaluations, while the fastness tests demonstrated satisfactory resistance to laundering and rubbing conditions. Overall, the findings suggest that the 90% polyester / 10% elastane plain-woven fabric possesses suitable performance characteristics for its intended end-use applications.