Investigation of pore parameters of woven fabrics by theoretical and image analysis methods

Fluid permeability property is an important performance feature of fabrics and must be considered during the designing processes of products. Since the rate of fluid flow through a textile is a function of viscosity, density, pressure gradient of fluid, and the pore properties of fabric, it is necessary to define pore properties by controlling the structural parameters of fabric for a certain area of use. Due to the complexity of fabric structure, modeling of pore structure and predicting the pore parameters are difficult. In this study, the interyarn porosity, pore size, and pore-size distribution of cotton woven fabrics were calculated by using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) geometrical pore models and image analysis method. The effect of weave types and weft settings on the pore parameters and air permeability of fabrics were investigated, and the advantages of 2D, 3D geometrical pore models and image analysis method were compared.