A Method for Studying the Deformation of Fabrics in Creasing

Abstract

A procedure has been devised for obtaining the load-deformation curve of a fabric during a deformation which begins as a small-radius bend and ends in crease formation. A strip of the fabric is formed, into a cylinder and mounted horizontally on the crosshead of an Instron tester. A fixed weight is hung from the strain gauge and the force exerted on the bottom of this weight as the sample cylinder moves up against it is recorded by the tester. The recovery curve can be obtained by reversing the crosshead. The results are most conveniently presented by plotting log of the jaw separation against the re ciprocal of the load. Curves obtained in this way on a variety of fabrics, including some resin-finished ones, indicate that the procedure should be of value in studying stiffness, resilience, crease recovery, and other properties related to the drape and handle of fabrics.