The Effect of Heat-Setting on the Bending Behavior of Woven Fabrics

Abstract

Fabrics woven from synthetic fibers are usually heat-set in order to improve their hand and other performance characteristics. During the heat-setting process, the inter-yarn forces are relaxed and, as a consequence, the bending hysteresis of the fabric is reduced. An experimental method is described that permits the continuous measurement of the bending hysteresis of fabrics over a range of temperatures up to the melting point of the polymer. By this means, the variations of fabric properties during the heat-setting process may be followed and compared with measurements made on fabrics that have been heat-set and allowed to cool. Results are presented for nylon, Dacron, polypropylene, and Nomex fabrics, and the significance of the various behavior characteristics is discussed.