Different types of fabric undergo tear during the process of wearing or washing due to abrasion, which is the physical damage resulting from the friction between textile surfaces. Although abrasion is evident in all fabrics, it is a multifaceted phenomenon that affects fabrics differently. In the case study, polyester, silk, cotton, and wool were investigated to ascertain their types, properties, yarn twist, and hairiness. Interestingly, cotton (a natural plant fiber), silk and wool (organic animal threads), and polyester (man-made strands), were compared and contrasted. Lab report, including fabric test, are powerful tools in the fashion design because they present test results regarding different effects of abrasion, and provide critical knowledge applicable to the fashion designer career.
How Does this Lab Help your Fashion Designing Career?
The abrasion fabric test is an essential component of the fashion designing career because it equips the designer with knowledge about abrasion with respect to fabric properties. Moreover, it helps designers to understand yarn structure, count, twist, and hairiness, as well as the fabric type that should be used in specific cloth, such woven, knitted, or non-woven. The knowledge about fabric can help to streamline designing, weaving, and knitting needs and procedures by minimizing sewing and fitting frustrations.
The lab results indicate that fabric knowledge is essential when choosing a fabric for specific circumstances. Notably, designers can use a fabric based on a specific need; for instance, abrasive resistant fabrics protect the user in harsh conditions while polyester is used to make swimsuits and sportswear because it is durable and elastic. Moreover, differentiating between abrasive and non-abrasive fibers is essential in fabric knowledge. When stretching ability was used as a marker, polyester was the most grainy, followed by cotton, wool, and then silk; thus, it is possible to measure the abrasion resistance of various fabrics. Indeed, knowledge of abrasive resistant will enable the designers to make the right choice of fabrics depending on the environment.
The lab results will equip fashion designers with more skills to identify the quality of fabrics with ease. For example, they can understand why materials with longer fibers are preferred to those with shorter strings as well as why longer threads, such as cotton, can spin into yarn, which produces durable cloths. Abrasive resistant fabrics are usually durable and aesthetic as they are smooth and shiny; thus, longer and smooth fabrics are of good quality. With such knowledge, designers can identify appropriate textures and make suitable choices of fabrics.
Describe what you Have Learned From the Experiment Based on Fabric Selection in the Lab
Abrasion resistance has an immense effect on fabric selection. The elements that affect abrasive- resistance, such as cloth type, properties, structure, and yarn twist, play a critical part in fabric selection. Notably, thin and stretchy properties of fiber lead to a greater resistance to abrasion, based on the tightness and quality of the yarn. For example, polyester has more abrasion resistance than shorter fibers, such as silk, which makes it hard to liberate them from the fabric structure as evident in the diagram
The thicker or textured surfaces would tear apart more than smother surfaces, for example, wool which is thicker than polyester, is less abrasive-resistant. The lab results indicate that the hairiness matters during cloth selection.
Yarn structure, count, twist, and hairiness also affect the abrasion of fabrics. As the yarn becomes thinner, abrasion resistance values of knitted fabrics decrease, and they break in the lower cycles. Although low yarn twist fibers are more abrasion resistant and can be removed from the yarn easily, high twist levels fibers are less abrasive because they are held more tightly since the yarn is stiffer
Wool
From the diagrams above, wool is less abrasive compared to cotton (d).
Yarn hairiness refers to the length and the amount of loops and fiber ends that protrude from its body. An increase in the yarn hairiness reduces fabric abrasion resistance. As evident in the silk fabric, the fibers fell out more after it was abraided, as can be seen in the diagram below.
What are the Important Things you Gained From this Lab?
Abrasion affects types of fabric differently based on fiber properties, yarn structure, twist, and hairiness. Hence, string properties in woven cloths are less abrasive compared to knit fabrics, as abrasion in fabrics can be measured using their stretch factor. Consequently, polyester is the most abrasive followed by silk, wool, and cotton. Fabric selection considers different garment quality and their resistance to a specific situation. For instance, the marine industries prefer using more abrasive fabrics like polyester in making swimming suits. The corrosion modifies the fabric and affects its internal structure, leading to its damage. Overall, friction strengthens and
increases the quality of fabrics, and is strongest in synthetic fiber.
Why are manmade fibers preferred to natural fibers?
Although natural fibers have been used for a long time, their shortcomings led to the discovery of manmade or synthetic fiber. Notably, manmade fibers are durable due to their stretching ability. Moreover, they are suitable for weaving because woven fabrics are stronger than knit fabrics. Synthetic fiber is highly elastic and can blend with other fibers easily. Consequently, they do not shrink and can be engineered to suit different needs of people. As a result of these advantages, synthetic fibers are mostly preferred to natural fiber.
Conclusion
Abrasion affects fabrics differently. For instance, polyester is the most abrasive while silk is the least. Therefore, such knowledge will help fashion designers to make appropriate choices regarding the right fabric. Since each fabric has its own advantages and weaknesses, a fashion designer should blend two or more materials to generate stronger fabrics that suit clients’ needs. Ultimately, even though it damages clothes, abrasion remains indispensable in fabrics because it helps to improve quality, durability, and appearance of fabrics
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