Determining the light transmission of woven fabrics through different measurement methods and its correlation with air permeability

The study aims to present a relationship between air permeability of woven fabrics and their light transmission properties. Polyester / cotton (48:52) blended woven fabrics were utilized in the study. Air permeability is measured using the standard test method already established while the light transmission through the fabric is measured by means of two different methods. One method is based on measurement of light transmitted from a back lit fabric by means of a light sensor. The second method is based on image processing techniques which require a digital back lit image of fabric and an algorithm is applied to measure the amount of light transmitted through it. Results from both methods are compared and correlated with the air permeability and porosity of woven fabrics. Analysis shows that the results from former method have a stronger and more significant relationship with air permeability of woven fabrics comparatively. © 2014, Association Nonwoven Fabrics Industry. All rights reserved