Characterizing the transplanar and in-plane water transport of textiles with gravimetric and image analysis technique: Spontaneous Uptake Water Transport Tester

Abstract

Water absorption and transport property of textiles is important since it affects wear comfort, efficiency of treatment and functionality of product. This paper introduces an accurate and reliable measurement tester, which is based on gravimetric and image analysis technique, for characterising the transplanar and in-plane wicking property of fabrics. The uniqueness of this instrument is that it is able to directly measure the water absorption amount in real-time, monitor the direction of water transport and estimate the amount of water left on skin when sweating. Throughout the experiment, water supply is continuous which simulates profuse sweating. Testing automation could even minimise variation caused by subjective manipulation, thus enhancing testing accuracy. This instrument is versatile in terms of the fabrics could be tested. A series of shirting fabrics made by different fabric structure and yarn were investigated and the results show that the proposed method has high sensitivity in differentiating fabrics with varying geometrical differences. Fabrics with known hydrophobicity were additionally tested to examine the sensitivity of the instrument. This instrument also demonstrates the flexibility to test on high performance moisture management fabrics and these fabrics were found to have excellent transplanar and in-plane wicking properties.

Apparent evaporative cooling efficiency in clothing with continuous perspiration: A sweating manikin study

“…Craig [11] found a decrease in apparent evaporative cooling efficiency with an increased clothing water content, but the extent of the decrease was not quantified. As liquid sweat transfers in two directions in clothing, i.e., the in-plane and transplanar transfer [12][13][14], later studies investigated the effect of perspired moisture distribution in clothing on the cooling efficiency. A thermal manikin study showed that when evaporation took place from the skin, the underwear and the outermost layer, the cooling efficiency was found to be 100%, 72% and 22%, respectively [7].…”

Characterizing the transplanar and in-plane water transport properties of fabrics under different sweat rate: Forced Flow Water Transport Tester

“…The transplanar water flow was determined by the water distribution in the top and bottom filter paper. By dividing the amount of water absorption in the top filter paper with the bottom one, an index called ‘ Transplanar ratio ’, which has been developed in our previous study 33 , can be determined using equation (4) . It is anticipated that this ratio could tell the transplanar wicking ability of the fabric.…”

“…Water content measures the amount of water within the sample. The calculation of water content of fabric is defined in our previous work 33 and its calculation is shown in equation (5) . This parameter is affected by the geometry of the sample with its wetted area, thickness and porosity being considered.…”

“…demand wetting principle). The recently developed instrument, Spontaneous Uptake Water Transport Tester (SUWTT) 33 , is also based on this principle, so more water is supplied to the more water absorbent fabrics during the tests, which tends to differ from the actual end-use conditions. In other existing tests 18 21 , although fixed quantity of water was applied, the rate of water supply could not be quantified.…”

Smart Textiles with Janus Wetting and Wicking Properties Fabricated by Graphene Oxide Coatings

“…[ 5,6 ] Therefore, materials with excellent directional moisture transporting capability are necessary to maintain the comfort the textiles and performances of the wearer. [ 7,8 ] In this regard, moisture wicking technology has been applied as one of the promising approach. The efficiency of moisture wicking depends on several parameters, which are structural design, surface properties of substrate, micro‐structure of pores, and capillary force (FCF).…”