Bridging the gap between evolving technologies in the physical, chemical, and mechanical sciences and standard methods for textile testing, this state-of-the-art reference details practical techniques for assessing the characteristics of polymers, single fibers, and textile assemblies at various stages of development, processing, manufacture and use.

New developments in fiber science and technology have resulted in fibers with tailored properties, thus expanding their uses beyond the domain of conventional textiles. The classical as well as nonclassical applications of fiber assemblies have placed stringent standards of performance that require precise monitoring of structure—property relationships in fibrous systems. These monitoring techniques must result in objective measurements that are based on sound scientific principles. A large body of knowledge exists on the physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of textiles/fiber assemblies. Also, standard methods have been developed by several national and international organizations such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), the European Standardisation Committee (CEN), the International Standards Organization (ISO), and others to assess fiber/textile physical, mechanical, chemical, and selected aesthetic properties.

Recently major strides have been made in the development and use of state-of-the-art engineering methods to characterize and assess the properties of polymers, single fibers, and textile assemblies at various stages of development, processing, manufacture, and end use. These methods are neither routinely used by the textile industry nor are all included in books dealing with standard test methods for fibers and textiles.