A Method of Repetitive Longitudinal Sectioning of Cords and Fabrics for Microscopic Examination

Abstract

A new device and technique for making repetitive longitudinal microscopic sections of discrete and predetermined thickness from cords and fabrics is presented. The device provides for mounting fabric, which is embedded in resin, and elevating it by calibrated increments to a selected distance above the level of a cutting surface which guides a razor blade in cutting a section for microscopic examination. The technique involved is simple and rapid and should be acquired easily by those who are familar with the Hardy method of cross-sectioning fibers. Examples illustrating the possibilities of such a technique in determining cover factor at various levels in fabrics, of determining the degree and character of penetration of various additives, and of the mechanism of particle retention in fabric filtration are given.