Characterization of fabrics using the light reflectance and the surface geometry measurements

Abstract

In order to characterize a fabric, the use of light reflectance from the surface of a fabric was attempted as well as the surface roughness (SMD obtained from the KES-F system) as an important parameter to describe the tactile sense of fabric smoothness. Light reflectance distribution was measured by using a gonio-spectrophotometric color measurement system. It was found that the reflectance measurement should be made not only at various illumination and viewing angles but also at various fabric rotating angles. The differences in the weave structures were reflected in the L* distribution patterns measured at various fabric rotating angles. The reflectance of fuzzysurface fabrics were found to be constant at any measurement geometries, meaning a constant L* distribution pattern might be one of the characteristics for fuzzy fabrics. © 2013 The Textile Machinery Society of Japan.