Influence of Stitching Pattern on Deformation Behaviour of Woven Fabric during Forming

Abstract

An experimental study of the influence of stitching pattern, direction, location and stitching step on fabric deformation
behaviour has been carried out. Uniaxial tension test of bias fabric specimen combined with image processing was
chosen to describe the formability and buckling of fabric by parameters: critical buckling load Pcr, critical elongation εcr,
critical shear angle γcr. Different specimen response to the stitches made in warp, in weft and stitches oriented at 45°
angle to the warp direction was observed. Stitches oriented perpendicularly and diagonally to the specimen tension
direction have no significant influence on the parameters, which describe fabric formability. Stitching coincident with
principal directions of a fabric has significantly restricted specimen deformation behaviour during bias tension. It was
determined that proper selection of the stitching step and stitch location will warrant higher form stability of woven
fabric when more uniform deformation distribution in a specimen can be obtained.