Crimp

Crimp: Percentage crimp is defined as the mean distance between the straightened thread
length and the distance between the ends of the thread while in the cloth, expressed as
percentage.

Crimp and fabric properties

1. Abrasion resistance: The abrasion resistance of fabric will be more, if the crimp in the
yarn is more. But during weaving and knitting crimped yarn has more contact point of
friction and less abrasion resistance.
2. Shrinkage: If the crimp is more in the warp and weft yarn then threads has a longer
bending path during swelling. So shrinkage increases with the increase of crimp in yarn.
3. Tensile strength of fabric: When a strip of fabric is extended in one direction then, at first
crimp is removed and then threads are straightened. So tensile strength is increased due to
higher crimp of yarn.
4. Fabric fault: Variation in crimp can give raise to faults in fabrics, e.g. reduction strength,
bright pick and uneven dyeing are occurred due to variation in crimp. Crimp variation is
mainly due to improper tension on yarn.
5. Fabric design: Control of crimp percentage is necessary when a fabric is designed.
Different types of fabric require different crimp% in warp and weft yarn.
6. Fabric costing: If crimp percentage is higher in yarn then more yarn is required to produce
a fabric. As yarn is required move, production charge will be more and cost of fabric will be
more.
Crimp measured tester
1. The WIRA crimp tester.
2. The Shirley crimp tester.
3. The Manra crimp tester.

The WIRA crimp tester

Principle
Percentage crimp is defined as the mean difference between the straightened thread length
and the difference between the ends of the thread while in the cloth, expressed as percentage.
Apparatus
1. Counting balance.
2. Scissor.
3. Fabric.
Machine description: Pivoted beam is arranged in the one side of the machine. A fixed grib
is adjusted with pivot beam. Between pivoted beam and fixed grib sliding weight is fixed on
the other side of the machine movable grib is arranged. Beside movable grib hand wheel is
provided to remove crimp. At the middle of the machine a torch bulb and scale is arranged.
Working procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.

Yarn is collected from the fabric and determines its count.

According to the yarn count, we select sliding weight.
The yarn is kept between fixed grib and movable grib which distance is 12 inch.
Rotate the hand wheel clockwise until remove crimp and the sliding weight parallel
and torch will glow.
5. Then we find out the difference between crimped yarn and without crimped yarn and
calculate it in percentage.
Calculation
Crimp percentage = l-p/p100
l = Length of yarn with crimp.
p = Length of yarn without crimp.
Precaution
1. Yarn should be removed carefully from the fabric so that crimp is not changed.
2. Yarn should have no tension.
3. Hand wheel will rotate until the torch bulb will glow.