Certified Facility Manager (CFM) Practice Exam

What effect does "thermal shock" have on no-iron fabrics during washing?

1. They become softer and more durable

2. They remain unchanged

3. They become wrinkled

4. They fade in color

The correct answer is: They become wrinkled

When no-iron fabrics undergo washing, "thermal shock" refers to the sudden change in temperature that these fabrics experience, typically when moving from hot water or a hot dryer to a cooler environment or vice versa. This abrupt temperature change can lead to the fibers contracting and subsequently causing the fabric to become wrinkled. No-iron fabrics are designed to resist wrinkles to some extent, but the stress from thermal shock can compromise this characteristic. The process does not enhance the fabric's softness or durability, nor does it preserve its original state; instead, the exposure to varying temperatures contributes to the formation of wrinkles. While other effects such as fading may occur under certain conditions, thermal shock specifically is more directly responsible for creating wrinkles in no-iron fabrics during washing processes.