Wicking

(Revised 1-1-09)
A division of BTC Innovations, LLC,
731 W Wynnewood Rd, Unit #20, Ardmore, PA 19003
Phone: 610-642-8136, Fax: 610-642-8186, Email: info@betterthancotton.com


SuperiorWickingProperties
In addition to permanent stain and soil release properties, permanent UVA and UVB protection,
revolutionary wash and wear properties, and green sustainability (please see these sections), the
patent-pending* BetterThanCotton fabrics from BTC Innovations are also the best wicking
fabrics in the world. This bold claim by BTC is backed by solid proof from unprecedented scores
in hundreds of independent laboratory tests, where three different types of wicking tests were
conducted.
While ordinary cotton fabric may be lightweight, comfortable and absorbent, because of natural
hydrophilic properties, cotton holds onto moisture like a sponge. While synthetic fabrics are
naturally hydrophobic, and dont absorb moisture, BetterThanCotton has been engineered to
greatly improve upon the hydrophilic properties of ordinary cotton fabrics. BetterThanCotton
looks and feels like cotton, and has unique characteristics that enable it to absorb moisture
instantaneously, distributing it in all directions and to the surface of the fabric to evaporate and
quickly cool the wearer. In addition, this innovative fabric also allows moisture vapor to pass
through the fabric. These incredible properties are permanent characteristics of the fabric. The
proof is shown in the independent laboratory tests.

The Proof is in the Tests

BTC Innovations is the only company in the world to base all product claims on independent
laboratory testing. There are three standardized tests to measure the wicking capability of fabric:
Absorbency, Vertical Gravity, and Moisture Vapor Transmission. BTC Innovations fabrics have
consistently received the highest possible lab scores for wicking in all three testing categories,
sustainable even after 50 domestic wash cycles.
Absorbency
The first test is the most commonly used standardized test for wicking: AATCC-79. This is an
absorbency test in which one drop of distilled water is dropped onto the surface of fabric. A
stopwatch is then used to time the length of time required for the drop of fabric to be fully
absorbed by the fabric. The speed at which the droplets are absorbed by the fabric is an indication
of wicking ability. If the droplets bead up on the surface, or are slowly absorbed, this is an
indication of poor or no wicking ability. BetterThanCotton fabrics consistently receive the
highest possible lab score of zero seconds on almost all tests, and less than one second on all
remaining tests for wicking in all fabric types, even after 50 washes.
Vertical Gravity
The second type of test (required for US Military contracts) is called a vertical gravity test, which
tests the properties of osmosisthe fabrics ability to wick moisture away from the contact point
in all directions. Several strips of fabric are cut in the vertical and horizontal direction, and three
inches are marked on the fabric. The fabric strips are then inserted into the water and a stopwatch

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_

BTC Innovations, LLC. 731 W Wynnewood Rd, Unit #20, Ardmore, PA 19003 info@betterthancotton.com
Ph: 610-642-8136 Fax: 610-642-8186

is used to calculate the length of time it takes for the water to move three inches up the fabric. All
of BTC fabrics reach three inches between zero seconds and under three minutes, even after 50
washes.
Moisture Vapor Transmission
A third type of test (also required for US Military contracts) is the Moisture Vapor Transmission
Test, which was developed for the military, by Precision Testing Labs. Four pieces of the same
fabric are tightly placed over the top of four beakers with measured amounts of water inside.
These beakers are then placed inside a plexi-glass container with a fan at one end of the container
that blows air into the container, and another fan at the opposite end of the container blowing air
out of the container. This container is placed inside a humidity-controlled room and left for
exactly 24 hours. The water in the beakers is then measured and a calculation done to determine
the amount of water that evaporated through the fabric in 24 hours. BTCs fabric received a
rating of EXCELLENT on this test.
With wicking scores that exceed those of all competing fabrics, BetterThanCotton is the clear
choice of fabric for all high-performance clothing, with zero drop-off in wicking rate, even after
50 washes.
Please see our impressive lab results:
Page 1a shows BetterThanCotton white jersey fabric test resultsvertical gravity testbetween 1:18 and 2:19
minutes, even after 50 washes
Page 1 shows BetterThanCotton white jersey fabric test results--fastest rate of absorbency possiblezero seconds,
even after 50 washes
Page 2a shows BetterThanCotton white 3-end fleece fabric test results-- vertical gravity testbetween 0:50 and 1:56
minutes, even after 50 washes
Page 2 shows BetterThanCotton 3-end fleece fabric test results--fastest rate of absorbency possiblezero seconds
for the face of the fabric, and .93 second for the reverse of the fabric, even after 50 washes
Page 3a shows BetterThanCotton white woven fabric test results-- vertical gravity testbetween 1:22 and 1:35
minutes, even after 50 washes
Page 3 shows BetterThanCotton white woven fabric test results--fastest rate of absorbency possiblezero seconds
after 50 washes**
Page 4 shows BetterThanCotton double knit fabric test resultsextremely fast rate of absorbencyless than one
second
Page 5 shows BetterThanCotton sublimation printed fabric results for a Moisture Vapor Transmission Test, which
measures the ability of fabric to allow moisture vapor to pass through it. A rating of EXCELLENT was achieved.

* International patent pending in USA and 47 other countries, filed January 2005.
**On the initial test, a score of 5 seconds was reported. This was due to a small amount of contamination on the fabric
prior to testing. This contamination was removed in the wash process, most likely on the first wash. However, after 50
washes, zero seconds was recorded demonstrating the fabrics substantial wicking ability.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_

BTC Innovations, LLC. 731 W Wynnewood Rd, Unit #20, Ardmore, PA 19003 info@betterthancotton.com
Ph: 610-642-8136 Fax: 610-642-8186

PRECISION TESTING LABORATORIES

313 Hill Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210
PH 615-254-3401 FAX 615-254-3488

www.precisiontesting.com
Laboratory Report No.
16-Jan-06

73350

Mr. Fred Greenspoon

Compliant Clothing, LLC
731 W. Wynnwood Road, #20
Ardmore PA 19003
Item : One (1) sample fabric identified as:
Style # 8008
Description: WT-jersey
Purpose : Wicking, PTL Method 1040
Test

Results

Wicking**
PTL Method 1040
Vertical Position, 3" benchmarks
Time (minutes)

Length Direction

Width Direction

Avg.

1.29
1.08
1.18
1.18

1.44
1.33
1.39
1.39

Avg.

2.03
2.09
1.58
1.90

2.25
2.18
2.13
2.19

Avg.

2.10
2.03
2.04
2.06

2.17
2.24
2.11
2.17

As Received

After 25 Launderings

After 50 Launderings

**Samples laundered according to AATCC Method 135 (3)IIIA(iii).

Permanent Press Laundering Cycle 105o F, Tumble Dry Permanent Press.

sg

Page 1a

PRECISION TESTING LABORATORIES

313 Hill Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210
PH 615-254-3401 FAX 615-254-3488

www.precisiontesting.com
Laboratory Report No.
16-Jan-06

73350 A

Mr. Fred Greenspoon

BTC Innovations, LLC
731 W. Wynnwood Road, #20
Ardmore PA 19003
Item : One (1) sample fabric identified as:
Style # 8008
Description: WT-jersey
Purpose : Absorbency of Fabrics, AATCC 79-2000 Modified*

Test

Results

AATCC 79-2000 Absorbency of Textiles, Modified*

Absorbency reported in seconds
avg. 3
As Received
Avg.

0.38
0.28
0.25
0.00

Avg.

0.44
0.25
0.22
0.00

After 50 Launderings

* Modifications to method per customer request:

Distilled water drop height is 1 inch.
Timer stopped at 5 seconds or at the point where the surface of the liquid loses specular reflectance.

Average of 3 readings recorded.

Averages less than 0.5 seconds reported as 0.0 seconds.

Page 1

PRECISION TESTING LABORATORIES

313 Hill Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210
PH 615-254-3401 FAX 615-254-3488

www.precisiontesting.com
Laboratory Report No.
16-Jan-06

73356

Mr. Fred Greenspoon

Compliant Clothing, LLC
731 W. Wynnwood Road, #20
Ardmore PA 19003
Item : One (1) sample fabric identified as:
Style # 8924
Description: YL-10-75
Purpose : Wicking, PTL Method 1040
Test

Results

Wicking**
PTL Method 1040
Vertical Position, 3" benchmarks
Time (minutes)

Length Direction

Width Direction

Avg.

1.31
1.28
1.44
1.34

1.02
1.02
1.11
1.05

Avg.

0.53
0.53
0.44
0.50

1.34
1.43
1.20
1.32

Avg.

0.53
0.56
0.46
0.52

2.01
1.54
1.52
1.69

As Received

After 25 Launderings

After 50 Launderings

**Samples laundered according to AATCC Method 135 (3)IIIA(iii).

Permanent Press Laundering Cycle 105o F, Tumble Dry Permanent Press.

sg

Page 2a

PRECISION TESTING LABORATORIES

313 Hill Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210
PH 615-254-3401 FAX 615-254-3488

www.precisiontesting.com
Laboratory Report No.
16-Jan-06

73357A

Mr. Fred Greenspoon

BTC Innovations, LLC
731 W. Wynnwood Road, #20
Ardmore PA 19003
Item : One (1) sample fabric identified as:
Style # 8930
Description: YL-10.15 FLEECE
Purpose : Absorbency of Fabrics, AATCC 79-2000 Modified*

Test

Results

AATCC 79-2000 Absorbency of Textiles, Modified*

Absorbency reported in seconds
avg. 3

Avg.

Front
0.37
0.53
0.59
0.00

Back
0.60
0.87
0.84
0.77

Avg.

Front
0.40
0.54
0.34
0.00

Back
0.88
0.89
1.03
0.93

As Received

After 50 Launderings

* Modifications to method per customer request:

Distilled water drop height is 1 inch.
Timer stopped at 5 seconds or at the point where the surface of the liquid loses specular reflectance.
Average of 3 readings recorded.
Averages less than 0.5 seconds reported as 0.0 seconds.

Page 2

PRECISION TESTING LABORATORIES

313 Hill Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210
PH 615-254-3401 FAX 615-254-3488

www.precisiontesting.com
Laboratory Report No.
16-Jan-06

73352

Mr. Fred Greenspoon

BTC Innovations, LLC
731 W. Wynnewood Road, #20
Ardmore PA 19003
Item : One (1) sample fabric identified as:
Style # 8011
Description: WT-WVN-8.1
Purpose : Wicking, PTL Method 1040
Test

Results

Wicking**
PTL Method 1040
Vertical Position, 3" benchmarks
Time (minutes)

Length Direction

Width Direction

Avg.

1.27
1.30
1.16
1.24

1.38
1.35
1.31
1.35

Avg.

1.36
1.21
1.17
1.25

1.26
1.15
1.25
1.22

After 25 Launderings

After 50 Launderings

**Samples laundered according to AATCC Method 135 (3)IIIA(iii).

Permanent Press Laundering Cycle 105o F, Tumble Dry Permanent Press.

sg

Page 3a

PRECISION TESTING LABORATORIES

313 Hill Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210
PH 615-254-3401 FAX 615-254-3488

www.precisiontesting.com
Laboratory Report No.
16-Jan-06

73352A

Mr. Fred Greenspoon

BTC Innovations, LLC
731 W. Wynnwood Road, #20
Ardmore PA 19003
Item : One (1) sample fabric identified as:
Style # 8011
Description: WT-WVN-8.1
Purpose : Absorbency of Fabrics, AATCC 79-2000 Modified*

Test

Results

AATCC 79-2000 Absorbency of Textiles, Modified*

Absorbency reported in seconds
avg. 3
As Received
Avg.

5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00

Avg.

0.44
0.60
0.43
0.00

After 50 Launderings

* Modifications to method per customer request:

Distilled water drop height is 1 inch.
Timer stopped at 5 seconds or at the point where the surface of the liquid loses specular reflectance.
Average of 3 readings recorded.
Averages less than 0.5 seconds reported as 0.0 seconds.

Page 3

PRECISION TESTING LABORATORIES

313 Hill Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210
PH 615-254-3401 FAX 615-254-3488

www.precisiontesting.com
Laboratory Report No.
16-Jan-06

73353A

Mr. Fred Greenspoon

BTC Innovations, LLC
731 W. Wynnwood Road, #20
Ardmore PA 19003
Item : One (1) sample fabric identified as:
Style # 8013
Description: TN-5.9
Purpose : Absorbency of Fabrics, AATCC 79-2000 Modified*

Test

Results

AATCC 79-2000 Absorbency of Textiles, Modified*

Absorbency reported in seconds
avg. 3
As Received
Avg.

1.09
0.69
0.88
0.89

Avg.

0.62
0.93
0.78
0.78

After 50 Launderings

* Modifications to method per customer request:

Distilled water drop height is 1 inch.
Timer stopped at 5 seconds or at the point where the surface of the liquid loses specular reflectance.
Average of 3 readings recorded.
Averages less than 0.5 seconds reported as 0.0 seconds.

Page 4

PRECISION TESTING LABORATORIES

313 Hill Avenue Nashville, TN 37210
PH 615-254-3401 FAX 615-254-3488

Laboratory Report No.

22-Dec-04

71039

Mr. Fred Greenspoon

731 West Wynnwood Rd., #20
Ardmore, PA 19003
Item: One (1) sample identified as:
Printed Sharks Polyester Fabric
Purpose: Moisture Vapor Transmission
Test, Unit of Measure
Moisture Vapor Transmission
ASTM E 96, Procedure B
(g/m2/24 hr)

Results

Initial

1446.2
1285.2
1209.4
1313.6

Avg.

Rating:

Tested By: David Haynie

Excellent

Visit our web site at www.precisiontesting.com

Page 5