Application Note | Fabric Surface Area
Fabric Surface Area Measurement Using 3D Profilometry
How a Honeycomb Pattern Multiplies the Surface Area of a Cleaning Wipe
Research & Experimental Testing
Jorge Ramirez
Visual Design & Editorial
Andrew Shore
Introduction
Surface area measurement can be critical when studying the intended interaction of fabric cleaning supplies with various types of surfaces. The projected and developed surface areas of cleaning supplies can translate into superior absorbency of germs and other unfavorable residues. The developed surface area is not the only contributing factor to efficiency: for example, the unique pattern found on the surface of cleaning wipes is intended to increase the effectiveness of their use.
Importance of 3D Non-Contact Profilometry for Surface Area Analysis
The NANOVEA 3D Non-Contact Profilometer is ideal for measuring the surface of a cleaning wipe through its use of axial chromatism. The technique measures nearly any surface, sample sizes can vary widely due to open staging and there is no sample preparation needed. The profilometer has the advanced ability to measure high surface angles without software manipulation of results, and easily measures any material, such as transparent, opaque, specular, diffusive, polished or rough. Touch probes and other non-contact techniques would have difficulty properly measuring the fabric surface of a cleaning wipe. The 3D non-contact profilometer provides an ideal, broad and user friendly capability for studies of unique surfaces such as fabric cleaning wipes.
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Measurement Objective
In this application, the NANOVEA ST400 Profilometer was used to measure the surface area of a fabric cleaning wipe to determine the projected and developed surface areas, as well as a contour analysis of the texture on the surface.
NANOVEA ST400 Standard
Optical 3D Profilometer
Results
Projected and Developed Surface Area
The wipe was scanned with an X scan length of 30.0 mm and a step size of 12.0 µm, using a 1.2 mm optical pen at an acquisition rate of 180 with averaging of 1. The false color view and 3D image show the honeycomb texture, and the ISO 25178 panel gives the developed and projected surface areas (Table 1).
| ISO 25178 parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sa | 74.97 µm |
| Sq | 107.3 µm |
| Ssk | −1.074 |
| Sku | 6.049 |
| Sp | 585.2 µm |
| Sv | 531.2 µm |
| Sz | 1116 µm |
| Sdar, developed area | 5080 mm² |
| Spar, projected area | 535.8 mm² |
Table 1: Height parameters and surface areas of the cleaning wipe (from Fig. 3).
Pore Analysis
A profile across one pore of the honeycomb was used for depth, distance and area measurements, and a contour analysis measured the pore diameter (Table 2).
| Pore measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum height (depth measurement) | 181.3 µm |
| Mean height (depth measurement) | 129.8 µm |
| Horizontal distance | 3.669 mm |
| Maximum depth (area of the pore) | 0.5354 mm |
| Area of the hole | 0.6499 mm² |
| Contour fit 1, diameter (radius) | 3.370 mm (1.685 mm) |
| Contour fit 2, diameter (radius) | 3.340 mm (1.670 mm) |
Table 2: Pore measurements (from Figs. 4 and 5).
Conclusion
In this application, using the NANOVEA 3D Non-Contact Profilometer, we have shown how the surface area increased with the honeycomb fabric design on the surface of the wipe. The developed area increased to approximately ten times the projected area. Beyond the measurements shown here, the 3D non-contact profilometer offers a wide range of measurements (dimension, roughness, finish and texture, shape, form and topography, flatness, warpage and planarity, volume and area, step height, depth and thickness, and others). With this information, projected and developed surface areas can be broadly investigated with a complete set of surface measurements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fabric Surface Area
Why measure the surface area of a cleaning wipe?
Projected and developed surface area influence how well a wipe absorbs germs and residues, and patterned surfaces are designed to increase effectiveness.
Why non-contact for fabric?
Touch probes and many other techniques struggle on soft, porous fabric; axial chromatism measures it directly, including steep angles, with no sample preparation.
How much did the pattern increase surface area?
The developed area was 5080 mm² over a projected area of 535.8 mm², about ten times larger.
How rough is the wipe?
Sa 74.97 µm, Sq 107.3 µm and Sz 1116 µm (ISO 25178).
What did the pore analysis show?
A pore of the honeycomb measured 0.5354 mm deep with a cross-section area of 0.6499 mm² and a width of 3.669 mm; contour fits gave diameters of 3.370 and 3.340 mm.
What else can be measured?
Dimensions, roughness and texture, form, flatness, volume and area, step heights and thickness.
