Contribution of fibres to the visual perception of fabric roughness

Abstract

Roughness is a measure of the surface texture of fabrics, which is never ideally smooth. In general, it depends upon fibre properties, yarn count, yarn twist, and fabric structure (weft and warp density, as well as fabric design). Texture as a complex of sight and handle can be investigated by cither mechanical methods, through friction or optical methods. The aim of this research is to determine the degree to which fibre count influences the visual perception, firstly by subjective evaluation and then by image analysis. The research showed that optical methods are sensitive enough to distinguish the increase of fabric roughness coming from increased fibre count, while human eyes are unable to make a distinction.