Effect Of Fabric Structure Parameters On The Electrical Conductivity Of Conducting Fabrics

In recent years, with the progress of science and technology, smart textiles are becoming a hot research topic in the field of textile technology. Some experts regard smart textiles as the future of textile and garment industry. Since the1970s, the progress of conductive polymer technology has been contributing to the rapid development of smart conductive textiles. The research project investigates the relationship between electrical conductivity of fabrics and the structure of fabrics after vapor deposition of polypyrrole. The influences of structural parameters such as yarn linear density, fabric density, fabric structure and fabric surface density on the electrical conductivity of polypyrrole fabrics are studied. It is all used to provide a good foundation to make an accurate, multilevel gradient resistance gradient fabric.The experimental results show that for the woven fabrics, an increase in yarn linear density will increase the electrical conductivity of fabrics, but when the value of yarn linear density reaches to a certain extent, an increase in yarn linear density will decrease the electrical conductivity of fabrics. Different fabric weaves such as the crepe weave,8-harness satin and honeycomb result in different electrical conductivities. For the knitted fabrics, when the fabric structures are the same, an increase in yarn linear density or fabric density will increase the electrical conductivity of fabric. For the nonwoven fabrics, an increase in fabric surface density will increase the electrical conductivity of fabric.A single piece of fabric which contains four different fabric densities or four different yarn linear densities has been fabricated. First, the relationship between the conductivity and fabric density of the fabric after the fabric was subjected to vapor deposition of polypyrrole was tested and analyzed. The result shows that there is a linear relationship between the conductivity and fabric density. Second, the relationship between the conductivity and yarn linear density of the fabric after the fabric was subjected to vapor deposition of polypyrrole was also studied. The result shows that there does not exist a linear relationship between the conductivity and fabric density. The experiment results show that the data of this experiment are helpful for the preparation of an accurate, multilevel gradient resistance gradient fabric.The conductivities of the polypyrrole conductive fabric after30、60、90times of rubbing by YG401E fabric flat grinding tester were tested. The results show that for the woven fabrics and knitted fabrics, when the fabric structures and yarn linear densities are the same, the conductivity decreases with the number of flat grinding, but its decreases margin drops. For the nonwoven fabric, when the material and production method are the same, the conductivity decrease with the number of flat grinding, but its decrease margin drops.Thus, the rubbing will affect the conductivity of the polypyrrole conductive fabric. The polypyrrole fabric must avoid the frequent rubbing in order to ensure the durability of the electrical properties. In the preparation of polypyrrole conductive fabric, an increase in the fabric density or fabric surface density of the fabric, the fabric can result in a better conductivity and a better durability of electrical properties.The experimental approach, the experimental data and the mode of thinking in this research work have provided important and valuable theoretical and practical bases for further development of smart textiles.