Objective evaluation of textural changes in knitted fabrics by laser triangulation

The paper reports our recent development of an objective evaluation system for characterizing textural changes in knitted fabrics during simulated wear. The textural changes under investigation are categorized into three aspects-pilling, fuzzing, and changes in the constituent yarns. Three-dimensional profiles of knitted fabrics are obtained by scanning the fabric surfaces using a laser triangulation technique. Two-dimensional Fourier analysis and wavelet analysis are introduced as new analytical tools for objectively evaluating surface textural changes. Fourteen quantitative parameters are investigated for their correlation with subjective assessments and the appropriate ones are selected to characterize textural changes.