Abstract: Concerning the measurement of friction properties of
textiles and fabrics using Kawabata Evaluation System (KES), whose
output is constrained to the surface friction factor of fabric, and no
other data would be generated; this research has been conducted to
gain information about surface roughness regarding its surface
friction factor. To assess roughness properties of light nonwovens, a
3-dimensional model of a surface has been simulated with regular
sinuous waves through it as an ideal surface. A new factor was
defined, namely Surface Roughness Factor, through comparing
roughness properties of simulated surface and real specimens. The
relation between the proposed factor and friction factor of specimens
has been analyzed by regression, and results showed a meaningful
correlation between them. It can be inferred that the new presented
factor can be used as an acceptable criterion for evaluating the
roughness properties of light nonwoven fabrics.