Scanning Electron Microscope Investigation of Morphological Characteristics of Laboratory and Field Wear in Military Fabrics

Abstract

An investigation has been made with the scanning electron microscope of the morphological characteristics of three selected military fabrics which have undergone abrasive wear on four laboratory instruments (Accelerotor, Schiefer, Stoll Flex, and Taber abraders) and in field wear situations (Ft. Lee Wear Course and/or Viet Nam missions). Cotton broke down by fibrillating, but morphology of the fibrillar bundles varied with the abradant and the application of weight and/or tension. Wear of nylon fibers also caused some breakdown via fibrillation, but morphology seemed less affected by abradants. Morphology of fiber breakdown was influenced by weave type when wear was particularly directional, as in the Stoll Flex abrader. The presence of nylon in a 70/30 nylon/cotton blend had a range of influences upon the morphology and extent of damage to cotton, depending upon the abradant utilized. The analysis of the fabrics studied to date indicates that the Accelerotor best reproduced the morphology of field wear.

References

Archard, J.F. , Contact and Rubbing of Flat Surfaces, J. Appl. Phys. 24, 981-988 (1953).

Backer, S. , The Relationship Between the Structural Geometry of a Textile Fabric and Its Physical Properties. Part II: The Mechanics of Fabric Abrasion, Textile Res. J. 21, 453-467 (1951).

Backer, S. and Tanenhaus, S.J. , The Relationship Between the Structural Geometry of a Textile Fabric and Its Physical Properties. Part III: Textile Geometry and Abrasion Resistance , Textile Res. J. 21, 635-654 (1951).

Clegg, G.G. , A Microscopical Examination of Worn Textile Articles, J. Textile Inst. 40, T449-T480 ( 1949).

Goynes, W.R. and Rollins. M. L., A Scanning Electron Microscope Study of Washer-Dryer Abrasion in Cotton Fibers, Textile Res. J. 41, 226-231 (1971).

Hamburger, W.J. , Mechanics of Abrasion of Textile Materials , Textile Res. J. 15, 169-177 (1945).

Hearle, J.W.S. , Sparrow, J.T. , and Cross, P.M. , The Use of the Scanning Electron Microscope , New York, Pergamon Press, 1972.

McQuade, A.J. , Pope, C.J. , and Weiner, L.I. , Relationship of Laboratory Abrasion to Field Wear, Material Examination Report 8330, U. S. Army Natick Laboratories, 1966.

Pope, C.J. and Parker, E.P. , Testing Abrasion Resistance by the Sand Blast Method, Textile Chemist Colorist 4, 345-353 (1969).

10.

Rabinowicz, E. , Dunn, L.A. , and Russell, P.G. , A Study of Abrasive Wear Under Three Body Conditions, Wear 1, 345-355 (1961).

11.

Weiner, L.I. , A Survey of 18-Ounce Blended Serge Fabrics: Wear Resistance, Textile Series Report No. 123, U. S. Army Natick Laboratories, 1962.

12.

Weiner, L.I. and Pope, C.J. , Correlation and Regression Analysis of Laboratory Abrasion Testers, Textile Res. J. 34, 371-372 (1964).

13.

Weiner, L.I. and Pope, C.J. , Correlation of Laboratory Instruments in Measuring Abrasion Resistance of Man-Made Fiber Fabrics and Blends, Textile Engineering Report 305, U. S. Army Natick Laboratories, 1963.

14.

Weiner, L.I. and Pope, C.J. , Correlation of Laboratory Tests, Textile Res. J. 33, 761-764 (1963).

15.

Weiner, L.I. , Pope, C.J. , and McQuade, A.J. Relationships of Laboratory Abrasion to Accelerated Wear Course and Field Wear, Textile Research and Engineering Division Report No. 46, U. S. Army Natick Laboratories, 1971.

16.

Weiner, L.I. , Textile Wear, Textile Engineering Report 304, U. S. Army Natick Laboratories, 1962.

17.

Weiner, L.I. , The Present Status of Wear Testing in the United States, Textile Engineering Report 302, U. S. Army Natick Laboratories, 1962.

18.

Weiner, L.I. , Wear Resistance of Military Textiles, Textile Series Report No. 125 , U. S. Army Natick Laboratories, 1963 .