Scanning Electron Microscope Investigation of Morphological Characteristics of Laboratory and Field Wear in Military Fabrics

Abstract

An investigation has been made with the scanning electron microscope of the morphological characteristics of three selected military fabrics which have undergone abrasive wear on four laboratory instruments (Accelerotor, Schiefer, Stoll Flex, and Taber abraders) and in field wear situations (Ft. Lee Wear Course and/or Viet Nam missions). Cotton broke down by fibrillating, but morphology of the fibrillar bundles varied with the abradant and the application of weight and/or tension. Wear of nylon fibers also caused some breakdown via fibrillation, but morphology seemed less affected by abradants. Morphology of fiber breakdown was influenced by weave type when wear was particularly directional, as in the Stoll Flex abrader. The presence of nylon in a 70/30 nylon/cotton blend had a range of influences upon the morphology and extent of damage to cotton, depending upon the abradant utilized. The analysis of the fabrics studied to date indicates that the Accelerotor best reproduced the morphology of field wear.

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