Evaluation of the Moisture Transfer Property of Waterproof Breathable Fabric Under Low-Temperature Conditions Depending on the Pore Size and Distribution

Abstract

The moisture transfer properties of four types of waterproof breathable fabrics with different pore sizes and distributions under low temperatures were examined. The structure, thickness, and pore shape of the fabric by scanning electron microscopy and capillary flow porometer compared depending on the manufacturing method. The effects of these parameters on the wearing comfort as determined by water vapor transmission rate and analyzing the temperature/humidity changes in the microclimate using the human-clothing-environment simulator. The coating type membrane was the thickest, whereas the nano web specimen was the thinnest. The results showed that at subzero temperatures, there was little difference in the vapor pressure change of the microclimate depending on the pore size. In the case of the waterproof breathable fabric produced in various forms depending on the function, however, the evaluation should performed based on the actual clothing wearing conditions, rather than in the standard state, is needed. Keywords waterproof/breathable fabric, water vapor transmission rate, pore size and distribution, microclimate, low temperature With the growing interest in health, various sports and leisure industries are expanding. Functional fiber materials and products that improve health, comfort, and hygiene are leading to an increased focus on the outdoor market (Cheng & Cheung, 1994).

Design the SBS Elastomer Electrospun Fibermat/Polyester Composite Textiles: Morphology Effect on Waterproof‐Breathable Performance

“…However, the vapor permeation rate of electrospun fibermats is dependent on mean pore size and porosity [54] according to Hagen-Poiseuille equation, [46] and also prefer uniform pore size distribution. [55] From the Figure 3a,b, as SBS concentration increase from 7 to 9 wt%, the mean pore size increases from 2.18 to 3.06 µm. This result agrees with statistical modeling, which predicts a relationship between the fiber diameter and the mean pore size of electrospun fibermats, [56] where increasing of fiber diameter correlates with increasing of the mean pore size.…”

Investigating Waterproofness and Breathability of a Coated Double-Sided Knitted Fabric

“…Many studies have been carried out to improve the waterproofness [1] and breathability of fabrics [2][3][4]. These textile materials do not only have the ability to protect the wearer from rain but also to provide him with a comfortable feel by transferring moisture out of the garment [2,3,[5][6][7][8][9][10]. For waterproof breathable apparels, resistance to wind is also evaluated [2,3].…”

“…Closely woven fabrics [2,3,11] are made with natural or synthetic microfibers and yarns. Microporous coatings and membranes [2,3,8] are made of polyurethanes, acrylics, poly (tetrafluoroethylene), and polyamino acids. For these two categories, waterproofness and breathability are ensured by the microporous structure [2,3].…”

Cross-electrospun PVDF/PVDF-HFP nanofibrous membrane with central combination design and its waterproof and moisture permeable composite fabric

“…In recent years, waterproof and moisture permeable fabrics have been widely used and become a research hotspot. 1,2 During wearing, water does not penetrate the textiles under a certain pressure, but the sweat emitted by the human body can pass through the fabric or in the form of water vapor, so as to realize the comfort of wearing. 3 Therefore, waterproof and moisture permeable fabrics are widely used in the field of outdoor clothing.…”