Studies of Fabric Wear

Abstract

We have shown that it is possible to make fundamental studies of fabric/fabric self- abrasion using a simple laboratory cyclic abrader. Abrasive wear rate depends on the contact pressure between the fabrics and is also influenced by the direction of curvature in the abraded zone. A concave surface is abraded more than a convex one. The observed effect of curvature is attributed to the effective change in yam count for the yams that are perpendicular to the direction of the rubbing motion. We have also found that relaxation of tension between episodes of cyclic abrasion results in reduced wear. The results for three cotton fabrics, two of which had been treated with durable press resin formulations, were as we expected in that increased abrasion wear correlated with the level of treatment.