Introduction: The bending behaviour of woven fabric is an important property that affects its drape, handle, and appearance. In this lab, we will evaluate and analyze the bending behaviour of a woven fabric using Shirley stiffness tester and through bending length measurement.
- Woven fabric sample
- Shirley stiffness tester
- Bending length measurement apparatus
- Preparation of the Test Samples:
a. Cut a fabric sample of 10 cm x 10 cm using scissors.
b. Mark the center of the sample with a pen or marker.
- Shirley Stiffness Test:
a. Clamp the fabric sample in the Shirley stiffness tester, making sure that the center mark is aligned with the center of the tester.
b. Add weights to the upper end of the fabric sample until it deflects to a specified angle, such as 41.5 degrees.
c. Record the weight required to deflect the sample to the specified angle.
d. Repeat steps b and c for three more locations on the fabric sample, such as the corners and center.
- Through Bending Length Measurement:
a. Cut a fabric strip of 2.54 cm x 20 cm from the fabric sample using scissors.
b. Clamp one end of the fabric strip to a support.
c. Place a weight on the other end of the fabric strip, such that the fabric hangs vertically.
d. Measure the distance between the support and the point where the fabric touches a plane surface, such as a table.
e. Repeat steps b to d for three more locations on the fabric strip, such as the corners and center.
f. Calculate the average bending length by taking the average of the four measurements.
- Repeat the Test: Repeat steps 2 and 3 for at least two more fabric samples and record the results.
- Analysis of the Results: Analyze the data using statistical methods, such as mean and standard deviation. Compare the bending behaviour of the different fabric samples and observe the effect of different factors, such as fabric composition, weight, and construction on this property.
- Conclusion: In this lab, we have evaluated and analyzed the bending behaviour of a woven fabric using Shirley stiffness tester and through bending length measurement. These properties are important for various applications that require fabrics to have a certain degree of stiffness or flexibility. By evaluating the bending behaviour of different fabric samples, we can determine their suitability for specific applications that require certain levels of stiffness or flexibility.