Measuring and Fuzzy Predicting Total Handle from Selected Mechanical Properties of Double Weft-Knitted Fabrics

Abstract

The mechanical and handle properties of three groups of double weft-knitted fabrics are measured using the KES-FB system. The double-jersey fabrics consist of double weft-knitted structures (knit, tuck, and welt stitches), and are further divided according to density and then fully relaxed. For hand measurements, seven principal physical and mechanical properties are selected (EMT, RT, RC, B, 2HG, w, MIU), which are related to four possible ways of deformation in double weft-knitted fabrics. The importance of their characteristics is deduced from a survey of a panel of thirty judges. Primary hand and total hand values from the KES-FB are analyzed and compared with our alternative simplified fuzzy total hand test result. The results from the new method for double weft-knitted fabrics provide experts with meaningful values in comparison with Ka wabata's total hand values.