Influence of Varying Structural Parameters on Abrasion Characteristics of 50/50 Wool/Polyester Blended Fabrics

This paper reports an analysis of the influence of polyester and yarn type on the abrasion resistance of 50/50 wool/polyester blended woven fabrics. Recently developed polyester fibers put into the blend and two-strand Sirospun yams are compared with 2.5 denier standard polyester and two-fold ring yarns. Mass losses of ten fabrics abraded in the Martindale tester are obtained for eight abrasion levels and given in three groups of graphs in a comparative form. Regression analyses help describe mass loss ratios of fabrics as a function of abrasion cycles and other structural parameters. Linear and, in some cases, quadratic and cubic models help explain the acceleration in mass loss rates, and SEM photographs show surface degradation of wool blend fabrics.