Physical–mechanical properties of automotive textile materials

Abstract

The role of automotive textile materials is of great importance and therefore this paper analyses the properties of such materials – airbag fabrics and upholstery fabrics. Fundamental characteristics and construction parameters of airbag fabrics and artificial leather with bonded textile fabric on the back side, as well as joining (sewing) and quality of joining places of cut parts are crucial for durability, comfort and aesthetics of the automotive interior design, and therefore were analysed. Airbag fabric specificity and extreme values of several parameters are achieved by manufacturing process, with extremely high densities in the warp and weft direction, resulting in a great strength and air permeability properties of very low level. The most important parameters for upholstery fabrics (artificial leather) durability are breaking force and elongation at break, and they were tested in different circular directions. Tests showed the direction with greater breaking properties, what is of paramount importance.