Effect of hybrid woven fabrics structure on their electrical properties

The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of hybrid textile woven fabric structure on the electrical resistivity. Weave structure was varied by varying the weave pattern and the conductive yarn density in the woven fabrics. Electrical surface and volume resistivity were measured and compared to the fabric structural properties. Results showed that not only the conductive yarns percentage has an important effect on the electrical resistivity but also the weave structure. The most influencing structural parameter on surface resistivity was the woven fabric surface profile as it controls the contact quality between the conductive yarns and the measuring electrodes. A high surface resistivity was noticed when the contact quality was poor. When this contact quality was good, a linear correlation was found between surface electrical resistivity and the cover firmness factor, the apparent conductive fiber surface area as well as the conductive yarn floating length of the woven structures.