A Study of Some Factors Affecting the Tear- and Water-Resistance of Lightweight Clothing and Tentage Fabrics

Abstract

Strength and water-resistance data are presented for a series of lightweight cotton fabrics varying in weave (wind-resistant twill and sateen), filling yarn type (60/2 combed and 30/1 carded), filling cover factor (15 and maximum), and finish (mercerized and unmercerized, both water-repellent-treated). The results indicate that the sateen has better tear strength than the wind-resistant twill but poorer water-resistance characteristics. The tighter weaves are less penetrable but more easily torn. The fabrics made of combed filling yarns are better than those made of carded filling yarns in both tear strength and water-resistance. Mercerization improves the tear strength but lowers the water-resistance, especially for the sateen weaves. Fire- resistant-treated sateen is shown by the data to have approximately twice the filling tear- resistance of fire-resistant-treated twill, with a somewhat lower, but still satisfactory, hydro static resistance.