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ambient conditions even when it is at rest. When we do some activity like walking or
play any sports, the body warms up and sweats more which is more or less absorbed by
the textile material. This humidity needs to be transferred to the surface of the fabric for
evaporation and thus producing a cooling effect. Therefore, to make a wearer feel
comfortable, not only should the fabric evaporate the perspiration from the skin surface
to the fabric surface but, the moisture should also get evaporated. Moisture adds weight
to the garment and makes the skin cold. It can also cause irritation and skin diseases.
Hence, it is very essential to have a moisture management fabric so as to make the
wearer feel comfortable.
Aim
The main aim of moisture management fabric is to make the skin feel dry. In order to
achieve this, humidity should be evaporated and transferred to the atmosphere as soon
as possible. The transportation of humidity to the surface of the fabric is done by a
capillary force known as wicking. As the gaps between the individual fibres becomes
thin the force increases. Thus, finer fibres will have smaller gaps and better humidity
transport. The evaporation of the humidity depends on the surface area of the textile
used. As the surface increases, fibres are finer and hence more fibres at the surface and
faster humidity evaporation.
Absence of dampness
Low water absorption of the layer of clothing just positioned to the skin
Durable
Lightweight
1. Simple diffusion through inter yarn spaces: Controlled by the water vapour
pressure gradient across the inner and outer faces of the fabric, this is the main
mechanism for transferring the vapour in low moisture content conditions. The
size and concentration of inter yarn pores and the fabric thickness governs the
resistance to diffusion.
2. Capillary transfer through fibre bundles: Wicking of the liquid water through the yarns takes place which is
then evaporated at the outer surface. The efficiency of yarn working depends on the surface tension, i.e.,
wet ability of the fibre surfaces, and the size, volume and number of capillary spaces is determined by the
choice of yarn and fabric construction.
3. Diffusion through individual fibres: Depending on the hydrophobic or hydrophilic nature of the fibres, the
water vapour is absorbed into the fibres at the inner surface of the fabric, diffused through the fibre
structure and desorbed at the outer surface.
Developments in moisture management techniques
1. Water proof breathable fabrics: They allow active ventilation yet prevent the penetration and absorption of
liquid water. They may passively allow water vapour to pass through them.
3. Phase changing materials: Waxes like Eicosane, Octadecane, Nonadecane, Heptadecane and Hexadecane
have the distinctive capacity to soak and emit heat energy without altering the temperature. Such
materials are called Phase Change Materials (PCM). They accumulate and release heat energy and
maintain their temperature range of 30-34 degree celsius when mixed in a microcapsule, which is
comfortable for the body. When the temperature of the garment layers reaches the PCM transition
temperature, PCM microcapsules create small, transitory heating and cooling effects in the garment
layers.
Inner wears
Upholstery (transport)
Latest developments:
American Association for Textile Chemists and Colourists have approved a new test
method 195 Liquid Moisture Management Properties of porous materials for the
measurement, evaluation and classification of liquid moisture management fabrics
suitable for measuring the performance of knitted, woven and non woven fabrics.
- See more at: http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/7497/moisture-management-oftextiles?page=4#sthash.aF3RJf2w.dpuf
Based on water resistance, water repellence and water absorption characteristics of the
fabric structure, including the fabrics' geometric and internal structure and the wicking
characteristics of its fibres and yarns the test results are obtained.
The performance of the fabric is assessed using a grading scale of 1-5 based on the above
indices, where Grade 1 is poor and Grade 5 is excellent. The American Association of
Textile Chemists and Colourists (AATCC) has developed and approved two new test
methods for evaluating drying rates of fabrics. The drying performance of fabric can be
analyzed by the following new methods.
AATCC Test Method 200-2013, Drying Rate of Textiles at their Absorbent Capacity Air
Flow method: Vertical air flow passing through fabric mounted on a circular opening is
used to determine the drying rate of textiles at their absorbent capacity under air flow
conditions. AATCC Test Method 201-2013, Drying Rate of Fabrics Heated Plate Method:
Horizontal air flow over the surface of a fabric while on a heated plate set at 37 C is used
to determine the drying rate of a fabric exposed to a prescribed volume of water while in
contact with a heated plate under air flow conditions. These new test methods simulate
actual wearing conditions in which the fabric would be exposed to air flow and in
contact with skin.
- See more at: http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/7497/moisture-management-oftextiles?page=5#sthash.u1UwMGaC.dpuf
Conclusion
Moisture management play a key role in all sectors of textile application. Tailor made
fabrics can be made to suit the specific end-use requirements. Due to the highperformance of the Moisture Management Fabrics, apparel manufacturers are shifting
their attention in manufacturing moisture management fabrics especially in the sports
textile area which strives to improve its functionality. The future will see further
developments in the field of moisture management fabrics. The moisture management
functional design of a clothing system can allow effective transfer of moisture and latent
heat loss to keep the clothing dry and comfortable. Thus, the performance of protective
clothing can be greatly improved if it is systematically designed. The water vapour
permeability and moisture management of fabrics are indeed very important to prevent
water condensation in the clothing and ultimately ensure improved superior thermal
functional and comfort performance.
References:
1. Dr. S. K. Chinta, Ms. Pooja D. Gujar, Significance of Moisture Management for High Performance Textile
Fabrics, International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 2,
Issue 3, March 2013.
2. Product-industries-research.hktdc.com, Hong Kong Trade Development Council
3. Dr. Petry, Textile Auxiliaries, Mositure Management.
4. JUNYAN HU,Y I LI,KWOK-WING YEUNG,ANTHONY S. W. WONG, AND WEILIN XU, Moisture
Management Tester: A Method to Characterize Fabric Liquid Moisture Management Properties, Textile
Res. J. 75(1), 5762 (2005).
Image courtesy:
1. Torayentrant.com
2. Plagiocephalyflathead.com
3. Tchester.org
About the author: Ayodya Kavitha is an assistant professor in the University college
of Technology. N. Giribabu is a Textile Consultant and Salwa Rasheed, B.Tech also
works in the University College of Technology.
- See more at: http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/7497/moisture-management-oftextiles?page=6#sthash.JoFCX568.dpuf