Stiffness

Stiffness is a special property of fabric. It is the tendency of fabric to

keep standing without any support. Stiffness is one of the most widely
used parameters to judge bending rigidity and fabric handling. Fabric
stiffness and handling is an important factor for the end users. The
degree of fabric stiffness is related to its properties such as fiber
material, yarn and fabric structure.

Theory

A rectangular strip of fabric, 6 in. x 1 in., is mounted on a horizontal

platform in such a way that it over change, like a cantilever, and bends
downwards as shown in figure. Three specimens in warp way and three
in weft are usually tested and since he relative humidity can affect the
results the test should be made in a standard testing atmosphere. The
horizontal platform of the instrument is supported by two side pieces
made of plastic. Attached to the instrument is a mirror which enables
the operator to view both index lines from a convenient position. The
scale of the instrument is graduated in centimeters of bending length
and it also serves as the template for cutting the specimens to size.
Instrument used in the measurement of
stiffness:

 The Shirley stiffness tester

 The drape meter
 The Heart loop test

Description of Shirley stiffness tester:

The stiffness tester is consists of a platform, having a smooth low

friction, flat surface such as polished metal or plastic. The platform is
supported by two side pieces made of plastic. Index lines are engraved
on these side pieces, inclined at an angle of 41.50 below the plane of
the platform surface. At this angle. A mirror is attached to the
instrument to enable the operator to view both index lines from a
convenient position. A scale is supplied with the instrument to measure
the bending length and is graduated in cm.
Machine Specifications:

 M/c Name: The Shirley fabric stiffness tester

 Model: MAG-C1601
 Origin: Made in India
 Angle of inclination of intersecting: 41.5
 Template size: 200*25 mm
 Scale size: 250mm thickness- 3mm
 Applied Standard: ASTM 3188
 Physical dimension: size -250m, weight 2.5 Kg

Apparatus:
1. Stiffness Tester
2. Scissor
3. Scale

Sample:
Cotton woven fabric
Size: 6 X 1².
Atmosphere:
Temperature – 25oC and relative humidity – 67%
Standard atmosphere: temperature – 20oC and relative humidity - 65%.

Procedure:
1. To carry out a test the specimen is cut to size 6 in. x 1 in. with the aid
of the template.
2. Both the template and specimen are transferred to the platform with
the fabric underneath.
3. Now both are slowly pushed forward.
4. The strip of the fabric will commence to droop over the edge of the
platform and the movement of the template and the fabric is continued
until the tip of the specimen viewed in the mirror cuts both index lines.
5. The bending length can immediately be read off from the scale mark
opposite a zero line engraved on the side of the platform.
6. Each specimen is tested four times, at each end and again with the
strip turned over.
7. In this way three samples are tested.
8. Finally mean values for the bending length in warp and weft
directions can be calculated.
Data:
SL/NO Warp(CMS) Weft(CMS)
Right Left Mean Right Left Mean
1 F 2.1 2.15 2 2.39
B 2.25 2.25 2.68 2.75
2 F 3.1 3.15 2.66 2.4 2.2 2.51
B 2.89 2.97 2.75 2.9
3 F 2.5 2.89 2.2 2.25
B 2.75 2.95 2.71 2.85

Result:
The bending length of the fabric in warp way is 2.66 cms.
The bending length of the fabric in weft way is is 2.51 cms.

Remark:
If the bending length of the fabric is more than fabric stiffness is more
and if less stiffness is less. From the experiment we see that the
bending length of the given fabric is average both in warp and weft
way. So the stiffness of the sample fabric is average.
 BGMEA University Of Fashion &
Technology

Course CODE: TEX-2203

Course TITLE: Testing of Textiles
Assignment topic: Stiffness

Submitted to: submitted BY:

MS. Sumi Akter (SMA) MD. Shibly Shadik
Lecturer of BUFT ID: 181-091-101
TE Department AMT-3 (181)

DATE: 05-01-2020