Characteristics and Rate of Wear of Worsted Serge in Trousers

Abstract

The performance of a worsted serge in drycleaning and as trousers was studied. A 58's grade domestic wool was woven into a 13-oz. serge (standard 2/2 twill, 68 X 68) that was dyed gray. Fifty-four pairs of trousers were worn by college men for one, two, or three academic years (11, 22, or 33 weeks). Breaking strength was determined and microscopic examination of yarns for percentage of worn fiber ends was made in three locations of anticipated heavy wear—waist front, knee, and seat. Loss in strength was related to time in service. The rate of deterioration was greater during the second and third years than during the first, and greater for the filling than for the warp. The seat was the most severely worn area. The trousers gave satisfactory performance through the three years. Bursting strength and abrasion resistance were determined in parts where less wear was visible. After the third year, deterioration had advanced to an 18% loss in bursting strength and a 23% loss in resistance to abrasion, and air permeability increased to approximately double its original value. Drycleaning alone had little or no effect on the appearance or the physical properties of the swatches of serge which were cleaned in the same load with the trousers.