Study on Influence of Weft Yarn Count on Mechanical Properties of Plain Silk Fabric

Abstract

Having many precious characteristics, silk fabric offers comfortable feeling with elegant fashion and is always preferred by the customers. However, silk fabric is easily wrinkleable and fragile with reduced properties when it is used. This article contributes to study the influence of weft yarn count on silk fabric properties such as fabric weight in g/m², tensile strength, breaking elongation and tear resistance in both warp and weft directions. The experiments are implemented with silk fabric specimens using 72D warp yarn and different weft yarns of 48D, 72D, 96D, 120D &144D. The research results show that when weft yarn count increases the fabric weight in g/m² and the tensile strength as well are increased considerably while the longitudinal tensile strength is slightly decreased, the tear resistance in warp direction is increased while the tear resistance and the breaking elongation in weft direction are unchanged. The research results could be a scientific basis for better selection of weft yarn count to produce silk fabric to meet the quality requirements of the end-use product.