Simulative analysis of the bending property of woven fabric by the comprehensive handle evaluation system for fabrics and yarns

Abstract

The comprehensive handle evaluation system for fabrics and yarns can be used to measure the bending property of fabrics and yarns based on three-point bending, in principle. In order to gain a better understanding of the bending mechanism of woven fabrics under three-point bending and to better interpret the influencing factors in the bending process, weaving-structure models of woven fabrics were built using finite element analysis based on ABAQUS software. Simulated bending force–displacement curves were compared with experimental curves based on the bending characteristic parameters extracted from the curves, and stress distribution on the fabric and the pressing pin were visually displayed during the bending process. The results show that the simulated curves have good agreement with the experimental curves. The effects of the property parameters of materials, including the Poisson’s ratio, friction coefficient and modulus of yarns and the structure phase and thread arrangement density of fabrics, as well as apparatus parameters, including diameters, the interval of the supporting pins and the distance of the jaws, on bending test were investigated. It is expected that the three-point bending method will help better characterize the bending property of textile materials.