Fourier Transform Analysis of Plain Weave Fabric Appearance

Protruding yarns influence a fabric's properties and its end use. This paper discusses a new approach to measuring fabric appearance objectively using image processing techniques by Fourier transform analysis. Characteristics of the fabric surface such as directionality, density of yarns protruding from the fabric body, and periodicity of weft and warp yams (yarn spacing) for plain-weave cotton fabric are discussed. The protruding yarn density obtained in this study correlates with those from previous work by spectral analysis of dynamic friction in the fabric surface. This new approach is regarded as a useful method for estimating protruding yam density on fabric surfaces. Through the angular Fourier power spectrum, changes in protruding yarns due to wear are evaluated for yarns spun by different systems such as air-jet, core-spun, open- end, carded, and combed.