worksheet and assessment card masters - National STEM Centre

WHAT AFFECTS FABRIC STRENGTH?
In the following investigation you will learn about
some of the things which affect fabric strength.
YOU WILL NEED: \
Samples of woven fabric labelled with suggested end use
Hand lens
Dissecting pins
Pencil
Ruler
In these tests give your results a ranking. For example,
in the first test, you would rank the fabric with the
highest fibre density first and the fabric with the
lowest density last.
1 Using the hand lens, examine the fabric samples and
identify each weave. Name each of your samples.
2 Measure a square,l.cm,x 1cmon each fabric -sample.
Mark it out with a sharp pencil and ruler.
Using the hand lens and a pin, carefully count the
number of warp threads and the number of weft
threads inside the square. Write down your results in
ranked order.
3 Using the lens, examine one warp thread from the
edge of each sample. List the fabrics in order of
thickness of warp thread. Now do the same for the
weft threads.
4 Untwist a warp thread from each sample between
your fingers. Was it highly twisted? Examine one weft
thread in the same way. Write down your findings in
ranked order.
5 Using pins, tease out a few fibres from a warp thread.
Measure their length. Measure the weft fibres from
your sample. Record your results.
Make a list of the factors that you have tested which
affect the strength of a fabric. Can you think of any
other factors which you have not tested?
6 Mount your samples carefully. Label them with
their names, suggested end use, and a description based
on your results.
2 sheets of card
heading
sample
name of
fabric
description of
weave,.yarns,
and fibres
Compare your results with the results from the fabric
strength investigations in Chapters 7 and 12.
© 1984 Nuffield-Chelsea Curriculum Trust