Experimental study of the frictional characteristics of cotton fabrics

The study of the frictional characterization of textile and polymeric materials has always been a great interest to tribologists for a number of years. Friction plays an important role in the overall quality of the fabric and its evaluation. Friction is defined as the resistance to motion when two bodies in contact are set to a relative motion. This thesis work endeavors to develop a suitable and an easy method to evaluate and compare the frictional properties of woven (denim) cotton fabrics.

The results in this research work clearly indicate the deviation from the classical Amontons' law of friction in polymeric textiles. The normalized friction factor, R was used to objectively quantify the surface mechanical properties of fabrics. Six types of woven (denim) fabrics with different fiber content and constructional features were used for the study. The friction factor, R used for the characterization showed that friction varies according to the nature of the sliding surfaces as well as the sliding speed. The higher is the friction factor; the lower are the rank and the quality of the fabric. The higher the rank, the higher the quality of the fabric.

It was evident from results that a nylon monofilament is the best choice for the sliding friction method and not the steel wire or any other metal wire, as it interferes with the frictional properties of fabrics.