Weaving as a Tool for Electrotextile Design

Abstract

Development of electrotextiles gives opportunities for creation and improvement of new innovative products in different fields related to smart clothes and smart textiles. The use of the weaving method in the electrotextile creation can stimulate a new approach for the intergration of electronic elements into textile and for electronic elements interconnections design in textile structure. During the research 8 samples of woven fabric were constructed in different weaves (plain, twill, satin) with different weft density (50, 100, 140, 160, 200 yarns/10 cm). The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of fabric structural parameters on electrically conductive contact area of fabric and to define appropriate applications. Projecting electro-textile for specific purpose, a proper weave should be chosen which could ensure necessary properties of e-textile. Contact area of conductive yarn depends on fabric’s structural phase too. In the paper yarn position in fabric structure of different weave samples was analyzed and several possible applications were pointed out. The washing test was done to get a denser location of conductive yarns in fabric structure. Several examples were demonstrated for each weave type: plain weave application for covering and insulation of electrotextile interconnections, twill weave application for pressure sensor development and satin weave electrotextile for position monitoring application.