Chapter-11

Air permeability

 Air permeability:
Air permeability of a fabric is the volume of air measured in cubic centimeters
passes per second through 1 cm2 of the fabric at a pressure of 1 cm of water.
 Air resistance:
Air resistance of fabric is the time (in second) required for 1 𝑐𝑚3 of air to pass
through 1 𝑐𝑚2 of fabric at a pressure of 1 cm of water.
 Air porosity:
Air porosity of fabric is the ratio of volume of air space to the total volume of fabric,
expressed in percentage (%).
𝐹−𝑓
Air porosity = [ × 100]
𝐹

Where,
F = Volume of fabric in 𝑐𝑚3
f = Volume of fiber in 𝑐𝑚3 .
 The cover factor:
𝑇ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ (𝐸𝑃𝐼 𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑃𝐼) 𝑛
Cover factor = =
√𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 √𝑁

 Air permeability & fabric properties or Effects of air permeability on fabric

properties:
1. Air permeability & cloth cover
2. Air permeability & twist factor
Air permeability & cloth cover
 The openness of weave & the air permeability is interrelated.
 Higher the openness in weave /structure; higher will be the air permeability.
Air permeability (P) is inversely proportional to cloth cover (Kc) i.e

i.e. P∝
1
 P=Air permeability value
𝐾𝑐
Where,  V=Volume of air (in 𝑐𝑚3 ) passes per
𝐾1𝐾2 second.
Kc = (K1 + K2)-( )
28  A=Area of the fabric sample in (1 𝑐𝑚2 )
 P1 = Pressure head in 1 cm of water.
 K1,K2 = Warp cover factor & weft
cover factor.
 Kc = Cloth cover.

Also Clayton used a value of P,

100
P=
𝐴𝑃1

Figure:
(a) (P) plotted against (Kc)
 Air permeability & twist factor
 Clayton showed that twist factor of yarn & air permeability are interrelated.
 In an experiment the warp cover factor & weft cover factor were kept
constant, but the twist factor of weft yarn varied from (2.6-5.1)
 As a result, its found that, the air permeability linearly increases with the
increase of twist factor.
 Because of higher twist factor the yarn becomes highly twisted & thus gets
compact. So the air space in yarn is reduced. The fabric gradually moves
towards a structure similar to wire mesh & the air permeability increase.
 Figure: (P) plotted against weft twist factors.
 Shirley air permeability tester
Theory:
Air permeability of a fabric is the volume of air (in 𝑐𝑚3 ) passes per second through
1 𝑐𝑚2 of the fabric at a pressure of 1 cm of water.
Construction:
 A: At 20±2ºC and 65±2% R.H. air is drawn from the laboratory through the
test specimen ‘S’ by means of a suction pump ‘A’.
 B,C: The rate of flow being controlled by means of the by – pass valve ‘B’
and the series valve C.
 D: The rate of flow is controlled until the required pressure (1 cm) drop
across the fabric indicated in a draught gauge D.
 E: ‘E’ is reservoir which smooth out any disturbance due to varying velocities
of the streams of air drawn through the various paths by the pump.
 R: The Rota meters are calibrated, at 20ºC and 760 mm of mercury to
indicate air flow in cm3/sec. And they cover the following ranges
𝐶𝑚3
R1 : 0.005-0.5
𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝐶𝑚3
R2 : 0.5-3.5
𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝐶𝑚3
R3 : 3-35
𝑠𝑒𝑐

𝐶𝑚3
R4 : 30 – 350
𝑠𝑒𝑐

Work:
 After switching on the machine, when required pressure drop of 1 cm of
water is achieved & indicator of draught gauge is steady, the rate of air flow
is read from (R).
 This test is commenced keeping (R4) open & others off (R1, R2, R3).
𝐶𝑚3
 But if flow is less than 30 , we will open (R3) keeping others off &
𝑠𝑒𝑐
continue.
 A safety valve (F) is provided to prevent damage of draught gauge (D) due to
excessive pressure drop.
  The test area is 5.07 𝑐𝑚2 , since a (1”) dia is exposed when the specimen is
clamped in the holder.
 The average (mean) rate of flow of 5 specimen is divided by 5.07 to obtain
air permeability of fabric.
𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 5 𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑠 𝐶𝑚3
Air permeability =
5.07 𝑠𝑒𝑐