Abstract:
The textile industry continually strives for advancements in fabric quality and performance. Acritical aspect of fabric assessment is the measurement of its weight, commonly referred to as grams per square meter (GSM). This thesis investigates how fabrication type, yarn count, and stitch length influence the GSM of fabrics, providing a comprehensive analysis of these key variables. This study begins with a detailed review of existing literature on fabric weight and its determinants. The primary objective is to identify how different fabrication techniques (such as woven, knitted, and non-woven), variations in yarn count (which denotes the thickness of the yarn), and alterations in stitch length (the distance between two consecutive needle penetrations in knitting) impact the overall weight of the fabric. Experimental procedures were conducted using various samples prepared under controlled conditions to isolate the effects of each variable. The yarn counts ranged from fine to coarse, and the stitch lengths were varied systematically to observe their influence on fabric weight. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were employed to ensure a robust evaluation of the data. The results indicate significant variations in GSM across different fabrication types, with woven fabrics generally exhibiting higher GSM values compared to knitted and non-woven fabrics. Furthermore, the study reveals that an increase in yarn count (finer yarns) tends to decrease the GSM, whereas a decrease in yarn count (coarser yarns) increases it. Stitch length also plays a crucial role, with longer stitch lengths typically resulting in lighter fabrics due to the lower density of stitches per unit area. This research contributes valuable insights to the textile manufacturing industry, aiding in the optimization of fabric production processes to achieve desired weight characteristics. In conclusion, this thesis underscores the importance of fabrication type, yarn count, and stitch length as pivotal factors affecting fabric weight. The findings offer practical applications for textile engineers and manufacturers aiming to tailor fabric properties to specific end-use requirements.
