What Are the Key Properties and Advantages of Tricot Fabric?

Core Conclusion of Tricot Fabric

Tricot fabric is a warp-knitted textile distinguished by vertical ribbed surfaces, exceptional dimensional stability, and resistance to runs. With a 90%+ application rate in intimate apparel, sportswear, and automotive textiles, it is the most widely used warp-knitted fabric in the global textile industry.

Fundamental Characteristics of Tricot Fabric

Physical & Structural Features

Tricot is produced via warp knitting technology, forming fine vertical ribs on the face and horizontal wales on the back. Its tight interloop structure delivers less than 3% longitudinal shrinkage after 5 home washing cycles, far superior to weft-knitted fabrics.

• Lightweight with high tensile strength, supports 20–50 kg tensile load per 5cm width
• Anti-run property: broken loops do not spread across the fabric
• Smooth handfeel, excellent drapability, and quick-drying performance

Performance Advantages

Compared with conventional knitted fabrics, tricot offers balanced comfort and durability, making it ideal for daily and industrial use.

Common Fiber Compositions & Performance Data

Tricot fabric is commonly blended with synthetic and functional fibers. The table below lists mainstream compositions and their core performance indicators:

Practical Applications of Tricot Fabric

Tricot fabric’s stable structure and customizable performance support diversified end-use scenarios across apparel, industrial, and automotive sectors:

Apparel & Fashion

• Intimate apparel: bras, shapewear, underwear (occupies 65% of tricot output)
• Sportswear: yoga pants, sports jerseys, quick-drying sports shirts
• Garment lining: suits, jackets, dresses, and outerwear

Industrial & Automotive Uses

Automotive tricot fabrics feature UV resistance and color fastness ≥4 grades, widely used in car seat covers, door panels, and sun visors. Medical tricot provides hypoallergenic, breathable materials for bandages and support braces.

Care & Maintenance Guidelines for Tricot Fabric

Proper care extends the service life of tricot products by 3–5 years while maintaining appearance and performance:

1. Wash at water temperature ≤30°C, avoid high-temperature soaking
2. Use neutral detergent; do not bleach or use strong alkaline cleaners
3. Tumble dry on low heat or air dry; avoid direct sunlight exposure
4. Iron at low temperature (≤110°C) with a press cloth to prevent fabric melting

Tricot vs. Weft-Knitted Fabrics: Core Differences

Tricot (warp-knitted) outperforms traditional weft-knitted fabrics in dimensional stability and anti-run performance, making it the first choice for structured apparel:

• Dimensional stability: Tricot 97%, Weft-knit 85%
• Anti-run performance: Tricot is run-proof; weft-knit runs easily
• Production efficiency: Tricot knitting speed reaches 1800 rpm, 30% faster than weft knitting