A sensitive gravimetric method is described which is capable of measuring the rate and total amount of uptake of liquid in the direction perpendicular to the plane of a fabric under known negative pressure gradients. This version of the so-called demand wettability experiment is especially useful when spontaneous transplanar uptake is rapid. Two experimental variables have been examined: the effect of the filter paper used to hold the liquid column in contact with the specimen and the influence of compression of the fabric. A number of system parameters have also been investigated: the surface tension of the wetting liquid, durable press resin treatment of a cotton fabric, several surface treatments of a wool fabric, the proportions of polyester and cotton in blended fabrics, and differences between three commercial paper towels.
A liquid extrusion method for determining pore volume distributions has been developed that is especially useful for, but not restricted to, characterizing fibrous materials. It involves gravimetric monitoring of liquid that drains from an initially saturated sample as incremental increases in pressure gradient are applied across it. Any liquid that wets the material can be used. Using techniques devised for applying an extended range of pressure gradients, it is possible to detect pore radii from 0.5 to 1,000 μm. Results for a variety of substrates show the sensitivity of the method. For example, bimodal distributions obtained for woven fabrics reflect the larger interyarn and smaller intrayarn pores. Advantages and limitations of the method and the meaning and usefulness of the data are discussed.
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