Electro-physical Properties of Woven Clothing Fabrics Before and After Abrasion

Abstract

In this investigation, the electro-physical properties (DC volume electrical resistivity, and AC-specific electrical conductivity) of woven fabrics (cotton, cotton/polyester, and flax in plain weave and cotton in satin weave), before and after abrasion on Martindale device (under a pressure of 9 and/or 12 kPa) were examined. The obtained results revealed that the cotton fabric in satin weave has the lowest resistivity and the highest conductivity. In contrast, the lowest conductivity and the highest resistivity before abrasion were observed for cotton/polyester fabric due to its lowest moisture content. Furthermore, a decrease in the conductivity and increase in the resistivity of cotton/polyester and flax fabrics in plain weave, and cotton fabric in satin weave, as well as an increase in the conductivity and decrease in resistivity of cotton fabric in plain weave were registered after abrasion at 9 kPa. After abrasion at 12 kPa cotton and cotton/polyester blend fabrics in plain weave have higher resistivity and lower conductivity than before abrasion and after abrasion at a pressure of 9 kPa. Abrasion leads to a deterioration of the fabrics' electro-physical properties and thus their comfort, especially in the case of cotton/polyester blend fabric when the pressure of 12 kPa was applied.