Blog Post #2 FBRI Field Trip

Fabric Testing

            A few days ago my Materials class attended a field trip at the Texas Tech Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute in Lubbock, Texas. On the tour the class witnessed and learned many machines that performed very important jobs to the testing and research of cotton.  There was one machine in particular that seemed very interesting to learn about named, The Martindale Abrasion Tester. This machine determines the abrasion resistance of textile fabrics.  The FBRI is very important by serving the manufacturers, cotton farmers, and students in conducting research on the fiber quality.

            This was an educating experience for one to attend. On the first part of the field trip the class was given a tour of various rooms with multiple different machines that each performed a very important job. It was a step by step process, from cleaning the cotton to combing the fibers in preparation to be made in to rolls of yarn. It is amazing to see the extensive process that goes on behind the scenes of the cotton industry.  The machine called the Martindale Abrasion Tester (ASTM D 4966) determines the wear ability of textile fabrics.  All fabric types can be tested on the Martindale although difficulties can arise with fabrics with a pile depth greater than 0.08 inches.

            Abrasion resistance is measured by exposing the fabric piece to a rubbing motion in the form of a geometric object that is in a straight line. This straight line will become a slowly widening eclipse shape. After the eclipse shape is formed, another straight line forms in the opposite direction and will trace the same figure again under the conditions of pressure and abrasive action. Plain weave, crossbred, or worsted wool fabric is used  for the abrasion along with a felt fabric. In this process, the two fabrics are used on the abrasion table.  The fabrics must be cut to a 140mm diameter. The felt is first placed on top and central to each abrading table and the abrasive cloth is put over the felt the same way. It is very important that the fabrics is flat with no creases in the fabric. Pressing weight is then placed on top of the abrasive cloth. After that, the clamp ring is placed over the weight and locks into place.  This machine is programmable and allows a number of rubs required to be entered and the machine is programmed to stop immediately when the process and completion of the programmed rubs.  For safety reasons the machine can be stopped manually at any time.

            It is amazing that this is just one of the many machines that I learned about on the field trip. The complexity of fiber and fabric testing is something I knew nothing about until after the FBRI tour. Walking into the FBRI was an experience in itself considering you walk into a completely climate controlled environment with fibers just floating in the air. You could feel the fibers on your skin after the tour was over which several of the other classmates had similar experiences and found it quite humorous. This field trip helped me understand the breakdown of fibers and how they are made into fabric. This was a valuable learning experience that allowed me to better understand the breakdown and process of fibers visually instead of reading about them out of a textbook or some other resource.