Abstract: Polymer optical fiber (POF) fabrics with simple construction and soft handle were prepared based on the structural damage during weaving process. This paper analyzed the damage mechanism of POF during manufacturing process and compared the side-glowing intensity of POF fabrics with different weave structure. The results indicated that POF was damaged mainly in the process of take-up due to the take-up roll with tough surface put much stress on the fibers to wind up the cloth. There were significant differences of side-glowing intensity among different weave structure of POF fabrics, the side-glowing intensity of plain fabric was low and the intensity of satin fabric was higher. The side-glowing intensity showed an increasing tendency with the repeatition of satin weave increased, however it was less affected after the weave increased to 16 repeats due to the POF was close to the largest contact area with take-up roll.,while the bending of POF played a dominant role. Therefore 16-thread satin weaves was preferred as illumination effect of POF fabric.

Key words: weaving, optical fiber fabric, weave structure, side-glowing intensity