Digitization of fabric comfort: a multidimensional evaluation strategy to human perceptions of sensorial, thermal and acoustic comfort in clothing

Abstract

PurposeCurrent measurement methods for fabric comfort attributes generally suffer from either complicated testing processes and intricate measuring equipment or partial evaluation objectives and thus are difficult for effectively evaluating multidimensional human perceptions towards the comprehensive comfort of fabrics. The purpose of this paper is to develop a facile test device, namely fabric comfort tester, to achieve a comprehensive evaluation of human sensations in terms of sensorial, thermal and acoustic comfort in clothing.Design/methodology/approachThe prototype of the designed device was introduced, which enables a simultaneous test for multiple physical and mechanical properties of fabrics based on a force sensor and a set of infrared sensors via constructing multi-deformation states of the measured fabrics. Eleven measurement indices extracted from the measurement curves are defined and interpreted based on correlation analysis. A series of regression models are developed by relating the measurement indices with subjective evaluation results and validated by a set of independent samples.FindingsHuman perceptions of sensorial, thermal and acoustic comfort in clothing can be predicted by the measured physical indices and the designed test device with the developed regression models provides an alternative method to characterize the fabric comfort attributes effectively.Originality/valueThe work develops a novel device for objective evaluation of fabric comfort properties by a simultaneous test, integrating the mechanical measurement with thermal test and thereby filling the gap between the existing evaluation methods and practical requirements for the digitalization of fabric comfort in present textile and garment trade.

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“…Comfort can be defined as a pleasant feeling of contentment and freedom from pain or restraint, which are very subjective and differ from each individual's experience (Kuleshova, 2021). Clothing comfort is measured through three indicators: sensorial comfort, thermal comfort, and acoustic comfort (Hu et al, 2023).…”