Measurements of Mechanical Properties of Thin Dress Fabrics for Hand Evaluation

Abstract

In order to distinguish the fabric hand by their mechanical properties, the suitable mechanical condition such as deformation range to be measured is important. The KESF system is now becoming one of popular systems to determine the fabric mechanical properties relating to the fabric hand. However, the standard measuring conditions of the KESF have been developed, up to this time, for the medium thick fabrics such as men's suitings. In the case of thinner fabrics classified as women's thin-dress fabrics, the standard conditions have been not necessarily the optimum condition. In this report, the “high sensitivity” conditions for both tensile and compression testings are proposed for the measurements of thin dress fabrics by the KESF system. In the tensile property measurement of the high sensitivity condition, the range of the tensile load is 1/10 of the stnadard condition and the sensitivity of force and strain detection is magnified by 10 times. In compression testing, the pressure range is also 1/5 of the standard. These small deformation measurements provide more clear distinction in fabric mechanical properties among thin dress fabrics. The difference is demonstrated in the mechanical properties between silk and silk-like polyester fabrics by using the measurements of high sensitivity conditions.