Optimization Aspects on the Hand of the Fabrics

Fabric hand is an essential property of textile fabrics. It affects the sensorial perception of humans when they touch a fabric. The feeling of hand depends on many factors; mainly on the low stress mechanical behavior of the fabric as well as on the subjective aspects of the person assessing the fabric such as sensitivity, culture, etc. The hand of the fabrics can be approached either by subjective estimations or by objective measurements. Both evaluation methods provide the necessary information for the calculation of the total hand value (THV) of the fabric. The THV is a function of multiple variables: the primary hand values. The complex expression of the THV introduces difficulties in predicting the conditions for the maximization of its final value. The present work provides a mathematical tool for a parametric study and definition of the quantities, which have to change, in order to maximize the THV of the fabric.