The Flexometer

Abstract

An instrument is described with which the flexural work, flexural resilience, and flexural hysteresis of cloth, paper, sheet rubber, and similar materials can be evaluated. A pair of test specimens of standard dimensions are mounted in opposite angles formed by two vertical intersecting plates, one of which is fixed and the other movable on a spindle. The work done in folding the specimens to various angles between the plates, the work recovered when they are allowed to unfold, and the work lost are measured. These quantities are a measure respectively of flexural work, flexural resilience, and flexural hysteresis of the specimens. They are related to the stiffness and crease-ability of cloth and affect the sensations which contribute to the psychological qualities of "handle" or "feel'' and the "drape" of fabrics. Typical results are given.

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References

Wm. D. Appel and the author are attempting to enumerate and define what may be called the kinaesthetic and tactile characteristics of cloth and the related physical properties. J.

F.T. Peirce . The Handle of Cloth as a Measurable Quantity . J. T. I., Sept., 1930.

E.C. Peterson and T. Dantzig. Stiffness in Fabrics Produced by Different Starches and Starch Mixtures, and a Quantitative Method for Evaluating Stiffness . U. S. D. A. Tech. Bull., No. 108, 1929.

H.J. McNicholas and A.F. Hedrick. The Structure and Properties of Parachute Cloths. National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics Tech. Note, No. 335, 33 pp., 1930.

A.A. Mercier . Coefficient of Friction of Fabrics. B. S. J. Rsch., 1930, 5, 243-6; Research Paper No. 196.

H.F. Schiefer . The Compressometer, An Instrument for evaluating the Thickness, Compressibility and Compressional Resilience of Textiles. B. S. J. Rsch. In press.

See footnote 44. In their method a strip of fabric 3 inches by 9 inches in size is folded back upon itself and the height of the fold is measured when the fold is compressed by various loads. Similar measurements are made during unloading.