Length of the yarn in plain‐weave crimp wave

Yarn axis geometry in plain‐weave fabrics has been described by different models. Yet, they do not capture its exact shape, because (1) the geometry of each crimp wave in a fabric is unique to that fabric and as such it differs from any generalized model, and (2) the length of the yarn axis, an important parameter, is more influenced by the height of the crimp wave than by any arbitrary definition of its shape. Crimp of the warp/weft is defined as the ratio of the length of the yarn axis in one wave and its wave length; the latter is the spacing (pitch) of the neighboring weft/warp yarns. Crimp can be calculated in accordance with the crimp wave shape definition, which differs from reality. In this paper, a new and very simple method of calculating the yarn crimp is proposed and validated through experimental measurements. The results provide an instrument for easy calculation of yarn lengths when crimp wave amplitudes and wavelengths are known.