Mechanical characterization of flocked fabric for automobile seat cover

In this study, the tensile and tearing properties of substrate, substrate with adhesive and flocked fabric were studied with developed regression model which explains the relationships between fabric forms and tensile and tearing strength of the flocked fabrics. Warp and weft tensile strengths of wet flocked fabric are generally higher than the warp and weft tensile strengths of dry flocked fabric due to the high wet properties of cotton yarn. Weft tensile elongation of the flocked fabric is generally higher than warp tensile elongation due to the higher crimp ratio of the flocked fabric in the weft direction. Warp and weft tearing strengths of wet form substrate with adhesive and flocked fabric are higher than those of dry forms of substrate with adhesive and flocked fabric. One of the reasons could be the decrease of inter-yarn frictional forces due to the lubrication effect of the wet form of acrylic adhesive in substrate with adhesive fabric. Generally, tearing strength of flocked fabric is low compared with substrate. It was concluded that the regression model used in this study could be viable and reliable tools and flocked fabric could be considered as an alternative seat cover material to use in automotive industry. © 2011 The Korean Fiber Society and Springer Netherlands