Thermophysiological comfort properties of different knitted fabrics used in cycling clothes

Abstract

In this paper, we measured the thermal and moisture management properties of six different types of polyester knitted fabrics that are used in the production of summer cycling clothes. The test samples were selected from the most commonly used fabric structures according to the results of a survey on a cycling team in Bursa. The fabrics were compared to determine which fabrics were more convenient for cyclists. Thus, we carried out objective fabric tests to determine the thermal resistance, water vapor resistance, air permeability and moisture management properties. Good moisture comfort, low water vapor resistance and good moisture management properties were preferred, especially in summer clothes. In the final evaluations of the fabrics, it was found that Type 6 Warp knitted raschel fabric was more convenient for summer cycling clothing because of its good air permeability, low thermal resistance, low water vapor resistance and good moisture management properties.With increased emphasis on healthy living and saving time, men and women are paying more and more attention to sporting activities. People want to spend their leisure time in sport halls, gymnasiums or engaged in other sporting activities. Cycling is one of the most popular sports. Cycling can be performed in many different weather conditions; thus, the expectations that people have from athletic apparel has increased. Athletic apparel must prevent excessive heat loss in cold weather and enable the release of sweat from the surface of the skin in hot weather. 1 Thermal resistance, air permeability, water vapor permeability and liquid water permeability have been suggested as critical properties for the thermal comfort of the clothed body. 2 Any level of physical activity will produce the need to release excessive heat to maintain a stable body temperature. 3 Heat release from the skin can be divided into dry heat loss and evaporation. 4 There are various test methods for measuring the mass diffusivity of fiber assemblies. 5 The sweating hot plate instrument best simulates the conditions under which the clothing is worn, proving test results that relate to the thermophysiological responses of people wearing clothes. 6The fabric liquid moisture transport properties in multi-dimensions can describe the moisture management properties and the influence of the human perception of moisture and comfort. 7 To evaluate the moisture management capacity of porous polymeric materials, such as fabrics, a new test method and an instrument called the moisture management tester (MMT) have been developed. 8 Over the years, many studies on clothing comfort have been carried out. Fanger showed that the conditions for thermal comfort are dependent on the activity level, the thermal resistance of the clothing, the air temperature, the mean radiant temperature, the relative air velocity and the vapor pressure of the ambient air. 9 D'Silva et al. demonstrated that polyester-fiber fabrics

Effect of knitting structure and yarn composition on thermal comfort properties of bi-layer knitted fabrics

“…12 The thermo-physiological properties were defined as wear comfort in terms of thermal and moisture effects, 13 and they are estimated through thermal and water vapor resistance. 14 Generally, the wicking height indicates the liquid moisture absorption and transfer property; moisture management properties explain the liquid water absorption, spreading and one-way transfer properties; the drying performance is a common method to evaluate fast-dry fabrics; thermo-physiological comfort is assessed by thermal resistance and water vapor resistance; and cooling performance shows the overall thermal properties of dry and wet fabrics.…”

Investigating thermophysiological comfort properties of polyester knitted fabrics

“…Like previous studies the relationship between the thermal resistance and the thickness (regression coefficient 0,69) and thermal resistance and density were observed (regression coefficient 0,76) between fabrics. 16 According to MMT test results of fabrics, the highest wetting time value was seen Type 11 -textured polyester mesh knitted fabric. The highest top absorption rate was seen in Type 10 moisture management type of polyester.…”

Effect of Loop Length On Thermal Comfort Properties of Mesh Knitted Fabrics

“…It was observed that the thermal resistance value of two ply textured polyester mesh knitted fabrics decreased with increasing density. Thus, if the fabric density increases, the thermal resistance will decrease [33]. Cubric et al (2013), reported that air entrapped in the knitted fabric structure plays a prevalent role in the thermal resistance of knitted fabrics [34].…”