A Technical Research for Giving Durable Waterproof Property to the Seam of Water Repellent Fabric

2000 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 11680119
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: 家政学一般(含衣・住環境)
• Research Institution: Japan Women's University
• Principal Investigator: SHIMAZAKI Kozo Japan Women's University, Professor, 家政学部, 教授 (50060695)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): MATSUNASHI Kuniko Japan Women's University, Assistant, 家政学部, 助手 (20184244)
• Project Period (FY): 1999 – 2000
• Keywords: waterproof property / water repellent finish / super water repellent fabric / textured yarn / sewing thread / seam / seam fatigue / sawing

Research Abstract

In the sewing of water repellent fabrics, it is necessary to give waterproof property to the seam. It is also necessary for the seam to maintain its waterproof level during wearing in end use.
In this study, the factors which had effect on the waterproof property of the seam were discussed and a seam fatigue tester was introduced to simulate the action during wearing in end use.
In general, the waterproof level of the seam became lower by the cyclic loading action of the fatigue tester because of the damage of stitched part in the seam.
The factors which had effect on the waterproof property of the seam were sewing thread, stitch length, sewing needle and etc. It was shown that water repellent finish for thread was essential.
From the point for obtaining durable waterproof property of the seam, some technical methods were proposed here. It was suggested that a method using a composite yarn (conventional filament yarn and textured bulky yarn) was the most useful. On the other hand, a method using polyurethane resin as sealer was excellent in experimental data but further investigation would be necessary.