Impact of weave on topographic characteristics of polyester/cotton fabrics before and after washing

The surface roughness affects the aesthetic properties of the woven fabric and plays a significant role in the final use of the fabrics. There are two reasons for measuring the same, namely: to control production as much as possible (special finishes) and to ensure good product performance. The surface roughness is important for fabrics that are in contact with human skin. The influence of the maintenance process on the topographic structure of cotton/polyester fabrics has been examined in this paper. Samples of different weaves were examined and the density of warp and weft, crimp and the thickness of the fabric were measured. Also, the parameters of the fabric topographic structure, roughness and waviness were determined. A total of 18 samples were tested in 6 stages of textile care (washing), and changes in parameters were monitored after each stage. Test results showed that the surface roughness parameter decreased in all samples with the rise of the number of washing cycles. On the other hand, the waviness parameter did not change drastically except for samples in plain weave where continuous growth was recorded