Instrumental evaluation of fabric shape retention by image analysis

Abstract

Fabric shape retention is an essential property for assessing fabric usability and easy-care properties, which needs to be evaluated frequently for quality improvement. At present, certain aspects of shape retention can be characterized by particular devices, such as the crease recovery tester, the fabric drape tester, etc. To effectively and accurately reflect fabric shape retention performance, we developed an automatic crease forming device to simulate fabric crease creation and the shape recovery process in daily life, and objectively assess the shape retention by an image processing method. A specified size specimen was laid flat on the device to create a sharp crease. Then, a video image of the fabric shape recovery is acquired for measuring the evaluation indexes, such as the vertex angle ( VA), height ( H) and shape retention area ( SA). Finally, the results of this proposed method are compared with existing methods. When compared with the existing crease recovery tester, there is good consistency between the VA of the developed measurement system and the recovery angle of the fabric crease recovery tester, which indicates that the proposed method can be used to evaluate the crease recovery of fabrics. Compared with the drapability, there is linear function relationship between the H and SA of the developed measurement system and the draping coefficient of the fabric drape tester, which demonstrates that the proposed method can be used to evaluate the drapability. Therefore, experimental results indicate that the data calculated by our proposed method can be used to determine fabric shape retention.

Effect of test parameters on the stability of fabric shape retention indexes increase recovery testing

“…Thus, the shape retention detection system based on image processing technology was proposed to extract and analyze the shape retention indexes of fabrics in the former study. 9 Proven by the test, the extracted shape retention indexes can constitute a linear relationship with the crease recovery angle or drape coefficient measured by the existing standard methods. Nevertheless, the test method with the former test parameters is not suitable for some fabrics with excellent crease recovery performance, and the stability of index extraction needs to be improved.…”

“…10 Wang et al discussed the influence of several different loads, pressure time, and recovery time on the crease recovery property of woven fabric by using a crease recovery tester. 11 On the basis of the former study, 9 this paper further investigates the effect of different testing parameters on the stability of fabric shape retention index detection. The orthogonal test method was chosen as an efficient and scientific method to optimize the test scheme.…”