Tactile and Instrumental Evaluation of Surface Contour of Fabrics

The relation between the magnitudes of instrumental measurement and subjective assessment of the surface topography of three series of plain weave, weft pile and knitted fabrics is reported. It is found that the surface feel of fabrics is influenced by the number, height and relative variation of surface asperities. In woven fabrics, a systematic increase in yarn sett greatly altered the peripheral boundaries and hence smoothness of fabric surface. The tactile smoothness of cord fabrics is influenced by the number, height and variation of heights of the fiber piles. Surface fuzziness and number of detectable ribs appear to govern the smoothness of knitted fabrics. Magnitude estimation and surface contour causal factors such as number and height of irregularities correlate linearly.