Quality Characteristics of Selected Zippers on the Ghanaian Market

Abstract

Zippers play a vital role in the functionality and durability of apparel and accessories, yet they are often overlooked in favour of aesthetic considerations such as length and colour. The study employed Total Quality Management (TQM) Theory. TQM emphasizes continuous improvement, customer satisfaction, and quality control in manufacturing and production. This theory is relevant because it highlights the importance of producing zippers that meet industry standards, ensuring durability, strength, and functionality. This study employed a comparative experimental research design to evaluate the mechanical performance, colourfastness, and dimensional stability of five selected zipper brands (A, B, C, D and E) on the Ghanaian Market composed of metal and nylon materials. A total of 72 zippers were procured for the experiment. Mechanical strength was assessed based on top stop strength, puller attachment strength, and lateral strength, while colourfastness was tested under washing and rubbing conditions. Dimensional stability was measured in terms of percentage changes in length and width. The statistical software employed for the analysis of the data collected was the Statistical Package and Service Solution (SPSS) for Windows version 26. The results indicate that metal zippers exhibit superior mechanical strength, higher colourfastness ratings, and better dimensional stability than nylon zippers. ANOVA and t-tests at 0.05 alpha levels confirm that these differences are statistically significant (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Correlation analysis reveals strong positive relationships between colourfastness and mechanical strength, emphasizing the impact of material quality on zipper durability. The findings highlight the importance of selecting high-performance zippers for applications requiring enhanced durability and longevity. Metal zippers consistently outperformed nylon zippers in all measured parameters, showing greater resistance to tensile forces, superior colour retention, and minimal dimensional changes. The statistical analyses confirm these findings, with significant differences observed between the two material types. The correlation analysis further supports the interdependence between colourfastness and mechanical strength, indicating that zippers with better colour retention tend to have higher strength parameters. It was recommended that product designers should prioritize strength and durability by selecting zippers suitable for the intended application, ensuring robustness in high-stress environments. Quality control teams must focus on maintaining high wash and wet colourfastness in zippers, particularly for products exposed to frequent washing or outdoor conditions. To guarantee the selection of high-quality materials, standardized testing protocols should be implemented to evaluate zipper performance in real-world conditions.