Testing of Fabrics
Testing of Fabrics
For test results to correlate between laboratories it is essential that each test conducted
is to a standard test method. the most commonly used test standards are:
American society for testing and materials for USA
American association of textile chemist and colorist for USA
BS for United Kingdom
CAN for Canada
DIN Deutsches Institute for Normung : Germany
JIS for Japan (Japan industrial standard)
AS for Australia
BIS Bureau of Indian standard
ISO
EN-ISO
AATCC & ASTM are the preferred standards for the North American continent while ISO
is used for the rest of the world. Individual countries have derived their own standard
methodology but are usually based on either the ISO, AATCC/ASTM or BS test methods.
Recently, with the European Union being formed, a consolidation of all standard
methods used in Europe is begin done. In most cases, common standards are being
evolved which are designated as EN or EN ISO.
FABRIC QUALITY ASSURANCE
SIGNIFICANCE / IMPORTANCE OF TEXTILE TESTING
To determine the suitability of a fabric for a particular end use.
The type of yarn used plays a significance role in determining the quality of the
fabric.
Research and development to enable new and desirable textile products to be
produced.
Product performance and evaluation to determine if the fabric is suitable for the
intended end use.
Quality control to ensure that the fabric will be made properly and efficiently. Thus
claims and returns will be minimized.
Problem analysis to determine why a fabric or textile product is not performing as
desired
Product comparison to determine which material would be the better value.
Proper advertising to enable ads to be truthful and not misleading or false
Adherence to government regulations.
TEXTILE TESTING - DEFINATION
It is used to determine whether or not a product complies with or performs in a
specified manner in relation to a standard or other requirement.
TYPES OF TEST METHODS
Physical tests: These tests are mainly physical or mechanical in nature and
includes breaking strength, abrasion resistance, & pilling propensity.
Chemical Tests: Chemicals are used includes fiber identification using the
solubility method, detection of antibacterial activity of fabrics,&
determination of the presence of mercerization in cotton fabrics.
Tests to determine colorfastness properties: These tests are used to
determine the resistance of fabrics to color change under various
conditions, includes colorfastness to sunlight, washing,& crocking.
Optical Tests: A microscope or another magnifying device is used, includes
grading of wool fibers, fiber identification of textile defects.
Two Methods:
Diaphragm Bursting Method
Ball Bursting Method
FRICTION TEST
Abrasion is the wearing a way of a section of material by the
rubbing against another surface. Tests for abrasion resistance is
very complex because of the many variables that influence fabric
wear. Fabrics with smooth surface tend to resist the effects of
abrasion to greater degree than fabrics with rough, non smooth
surface. Materials made with novelty yarns usually possess
lower abrasion resistance.
The resistance to abrasion of a material is greatly affected by the
conditions of the test like specimen tension, type of abradent,
amount of pressure between abradent and specimen.
Various criteria can be used to determine the end point of the
test. The specimen could be tested until the appearance of the
first sign of wear; or when there is a yarn break; or with the
complete destruction of the fabric in the test area.
FRICTION TEST
Factors affecting abrasion resistance
Fiber type and properties
Yarn Twist
Fabric Structure
TEST METHODS
Rotary platform double-head method
Flexing and abrasion method
Inflated diaphragm method
Oscillatory cylinder method
Martindale abrasion test
FRICTION TEST
Pilling - It is the formation of clusters or balls of tangled fibers on the
surface of a material occurring from surface rubbing.
These pills are attached to the surface of fabric by one or more fibers.
The resistance to pilling by a particular fabric will vary with the
conditions of actual use as well as the way in which the individual wears
the garment.
The pills are more noticeable when the degree of color contrast with the
fabric is great. Lint pills are usually more noticeable than regular pills.
The development of pills is accompanied by surface changes, like change
of color, development of fuzz, or reduction of cover.
Usually the pilling specimens are rated by comparing them to actual
samples or photographs showing a range of pilling effects.
Test Methods
Random tumble pilling method
Brush and fabric to fabric method
APPEARENCE TEST
FABRIC RESISTANCE TO WRINKLING
Wrinkle may be described as a fold in the fabric.
Greater the resilience of fibers fewer and less sharp the wrinkles will be
Parameters such as percent relative humidity, temperature, time under pressure,
amount of pressure and recovery time must be controlled in the test.
Wrinkle resistance the fabric is determined by various factors:
A resilient fiber content , such as polyester or wool
Highly twisted yarns
Low yarns per inch
Thick, lofty construction
Finishes such as CRF(Crease Retention Finish) finish for cotton fabrics
A weave with few interlacing, such as 4X4 basket weave.
TEST METHODS
Recovery angle method
Appearance method
Appearance Test
Drape It is the extent to which a fabric will deform when it
is allowed to hang. Drapability of a fabric is combined effect
of several factors such as stiffness, rigidity, weight, thickness
etc. Stiffness, an attribute of fabric hand is one of the most
important factors determining draping quality of fabric e.g.
soft fabric drapes closer to the body forming ripples
whereas stiff fabric drapes away from the body. Stiffness of
fabric itself depends upon geometrical parameters of the
fabric.
Test Method
Drape meter is used to determine a direct objective
measurement of fabric drape.
AIR PERMEABILITY TEST
The air permeability of a fabric is a measure of
how well it allows the passage of air through it.
The ease or otherwise of passage of air is of
importance for a number of fabric end uses such
as industrial filters, tents, sailcloth's, parachutes,
raincoat materials, shirting's, down proof fabric
and airbags.
Air permeability is defined as the volume of air in
milliliters which is passed in one second through
100s mm2 of the fabric at a pressure difference of
100mm head of water.
FUNCTIONAL TEST
FABRIC DIMENSIONAL CHANGE
Dimensional change is the increase or decrease in the length or
width of a fabric called growth and shrinkage respectively.
Increase in dimension s called growth while decrease is called
shrinkage and change is usually expressed in percentage.
Fabric shrink or grow for various reasons. Like exposure to heat,
water or dry-cleaning solvent causes some material to change its
dimensionality.
Some fabrics when dried under tension tend to return to their
original size.
Test Method
FLAMMABILITY TESTER - 45-Degree Angle Test
COLORFASTNESS TEST
COLOR FASTNESS It is property of a pigment or dye to
retain its original hue, especially without fading, running,
or changing when wetted, washed, cleaned; or stored
under normal conditions when exposed to light, heat, or
other influences.
Types Of Colorfastness - It is adversely affected by:
Washing
Light
Crocking
Abrasion
Gases in Atmosphere
Frosting
Perspiration
Heat
Other Tests
Snagging - A snag is a loop of fibre (or yarn) that is
pulled from a fabric when it is in contact with a rough
object. Snags detract from the appearance of the
fabric but do not reduce any of its other properties.
Fabrics made from bulked continuous filament yarns
are particularly susceptible to the formation of snags
although woven fabrics with long floats can also
suffer from this problem.
Test Method
Mace snagging test
Other Test
Stiffness - It is a special property of fabric. It is
the tendency of fabric to keep standing without
any support or tendency to resist bending and
deflection. It is a key factor in the study of handle
and drape of fabric.
Test Method
Cantilever bending test.