Predictive model for the frictional characteristics of woven fabrics optimized by the genetic algorithm

Abstract

Surface friction of fabrics is one of the prominent tactile properties which influence the comfort and application of clothes. In this paper, a new approach is proposed to characterize the surface friction of woven fabrics by presenting a model based on fabric structural parameters. The model coefficients are optimized with the aid of the genetic algorithm, using the experimental friction results obtained from the multi-directional tactile sensing mechanism. The model is developed using the properties of 25 groups of woven fabrics consisting of 5 various weave structures and 5 different weft densities, with similar fibre composition. The statistical analysis of Friction results clarified that the effect of fabric structural parameters such as weave structure and weft density is significant in the confidence range of 95%. The importance of proposing the friction model is that the frictional properties of woven fabrics can be estimated by considering the structural parameters of woven fabrics. This model can be utilized for the forecasting of the friction resistance of various types of woven fabrics without experimental testing procedures.