Abstract
Studies on water permeability of fabrics were pursued as a clue to obtain the knowledge of mechanical action in the washing process.
Velocity of the penetrating flow (denoted by v) and the pressure drop (ΔP) across various fabrics were measured in the tube flow equipment by means of a floatmeter and a mercury manometer, respectively.
The main results were as follows :
1. Increases of both the flow velocity and the number of layers of the fabric made the pressure drop greater.
2. Higher temperature of the water made the larger penetration through fabrics.
3. Saran twill and polyester taffeta markedly increased the pressure drop as time went on.
4. Experimental results of polyester taffeta at one minute after the beginning of flow were represented by the following empirical formula :
ΔP=A+B+Bv+Cv2
where A, B and C are constants within a definite system. The deviations from this equation in other fabrics were discussed.
