TSA - Tactile Sensation Analyzer

Surface Smoothness is the absence of significant texture or deviations from an ideal surface, indicating minimal peaks and valleys (macro structures on the surface). In technical contexts, it refers to a surface with minor irregularities. The surface smoothness affects performance, appearance, and functionality.

Surface Softness refers to the tactile sensation of a material's surface, determined by its physical characteristics like micro-surface variations and micro-compressibility (surface compressibility) when touched with fingertips. It is distinct from bulk softness, which involves the material's overall pliability when crumpled or folded.

The "Stretch" of a textile refers to its ability to be pulled or elongated in size.

The "Recovery Behavior" of a textile refers to its ability to return to its original shape and dimensions after being pulled or elongated in size. Three different parameters determine the recovery behavior of a textile fabric: the hysteresis, the plasticity (recovery), the elasticity.

The emtec TSA objectively measures the three basic parameters which determine the human hand feeling: micro-surface variations (feeling of softness), the macro-surface variations (feeling of smoothness) and the flexibility (in-plane stiffness) of any kind of textile material. By the help of special algorithms, these single parameters can be combined to the so-called Hand Feel (HF) Value. With the right mathematical model, a correlation to the human expectation of up to almost 100 percent is possible.

Crumple Resistance in textiles is the fabric's ability to resist a load that is applied to deform it; e.g., consumers in the store grabbing into a garment.

How warm or cool does a fabric feel on the surface defines Thermo Haptic.

Thermal Insulation is a material's ability to restrict the transfer of heat, keeping the body warm in cold environments or preventing heat from entering in hot ones by trapping air within its fibers and structure.

Compressibility is the ability of a material to reduce its thickness or volume when subjected to an external pressure, a property that is crucial for a comfort and overall "handle" or feel. The compressibility of a textile is directly linked to its internal structure. For instance, loose fiber masses and woven fabrics with an intricate arrangement of fibers show different compressibility behaviors.

Air Permeability measures the ease with which air passes through a fabric, indicating its "breathability". It's determined by testing how much air flows through a fabric under specific pressure and time conditions. This property is crucial for various applications, including sportswear for moisture regulation, medical textiles for patient comfort, and technical textiles like filter fabrics and parachutes for their performance.

High-resolution image from the sample.