Interpretation of Fiber Properties

Abstract

The resistance of fibers to fracture due to fatigue in flexure is shown to correlate with the wear life of socks and can be used to explain other fabric abrasion resistance phenomena. When single fibers are flexed over a rounded metal bar, the log of the number of flexures to failure has been found to be approximately linearly related to the radius of curvature of the surface of the bar and to the tension on the fiber during the test. An empirical equation is presented relating these variables along with some of the deter mined values for the various proportionality constants for several common fiber types. The relative resistances of different types of fiber to scraping and grinding actions of emery particles was measured and compared with the generally accepted abrasion resistance of fabrics of these fibers. The correlation was so poor as to indicate only a slight probability that the grinding mechanism plays an important role in normal fabric abrasion.