Moisture Management Fabrics: Key to Wearer Comfort

September 2014 | 42 pages | ID: MF4064C5CA6EN
Textiles Intelligence Ltd

Abstracts

Moisture management is the process of transporting moisture in the form of perspiration away from the skin to the outer surface of a fabric or garment where it can evaporate. As such, moisture management provides a number of benefits, including thermoregulation, a reduction of perspiration build-up on a garment, a reduction of blisters and chafing caused by wet garments and a reduction of the proliferation of microorganisms. Originally, moisture management garments were designed specifically for individuals who regularly engage in physical activity, such as extreme athletes, firefighters and the military. However, given the comfort which moisture management garments provide, they are being used to an ever increasing extent in apparel applications which are less technical such as casual wear and sleepwear. Much research effort has been concentrated on designing and developing moisture management fabrics as companies aim to enhance their functionality by imparting cooling sensations, ultraviolet (UV) protection and antimicrobial efficacy. This report provides a wealth of information on the function of moisture management fibres, yarns and fabrics and their application in a variety of sectors. It also features information on the design of moisture management garments and test methods for assessing moisture management in fabrics. Furthermore, the report presents examples of innovations in moisture management fibres, fabrics and apparel as well as an outlook for the future of these increasingly important technologies.

Contents

SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

ROLE OF MOISTURE MANAGEMENT IN FABRICS AND APPAREL

Thermoregulation
Base layer
Middle layer
Outer layer
Controlling weight build-up
Reducing skin damage
Minimising the proliferation of Microorganisms

MOISTURE TRANSPORT IN FABRICS

Factors affecting moisture transport
Weight or thickness
Fibre fineness
Fibre types
Special finishes
Breathability

FIBRES FOR MOISTURE MANAGEMENT

Polyester
Polypropylene
Polyamide
Silk
Merino wool
Cotton
Blends

DESIGN OF MOISTURE MANAGEMENT GARMENTS

Tools used in the design of moisture management garments
Body mapping technology
Adidas: BodyMapping
Adidas: Flow Mapping
Hohenstein Institute: comfort mapping technology

TEST METHODS FOR ASSESSING MOISTURE MANAGEMENT IN

FABRICS

AATCC Test Method 195-2009: Liquid Moisture Management Properties of Textile Fabrics
Sweateing thermal manikin tests
Moisture management fabrics: key to wearer comfort

APPLICATIONS OF MOISTURE MANAGEMENT FABRICS

Sportswear
Active outdoor wear
Flame resistant apparel
Other applications

INNOVATIONS IN MOISTURE MANAGEMENT FIBRES, FABRICS

AND APPAREL

Adidas: Climachill
Cocona: 37.5
Columbia Sportswear: Omni-Freeze Zero
Columbia Sportswear: Omni-Wick EVAP
Coolcore: Coolcore
Cotton Incorporated: TransDRY
drirelease: drirelease
HeiQ Materials: Adaptive
Invista: CoolMax
Invista: Thermo°Cool
Invista: Thermolite
Lenzing: Lenzing FR
Lenzing: Tencel
Lusom?: dryLon
Marmot: DriClime
Milliken: VisaEndurance
Mitsui & Co: Pertex
MMT Textiles: Inotek
Nanotex: Dry Inside
Nike: Dri-FIT
Nilit: Nilit Aquarius
Patagonia: Capilene
Pearl Izumi: Ultrasensor
Polartec: PowerDry
Polartec: Power Wool
Rhovyl: Rhovyl
Saucony: DryLete
Schoeller: 3XDRY
Schoeller: c_change
Schoeller: Dryskin and Dryskin Extreme
Dryskin Extreme
Sportwear Argentona: Dry-Clim
Teijin Fibers: moisture absorbing polyester fabric
The North Face: FlashDry
Trevira: Trevira Moisture Control
Moisture management fabrics: key to wearer comfort
Unifi: Sorbtek
University of California: moisture management fabric
X-Technology Swiss Research & Development: X-Bionic The Trick

OUTLOOK

List Of Tables

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: RET values and wearer comfort
Table 2: Commonly used test methods for assessing the moisture management properties of textiles and clothing, 2014

List Of Figures

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Moisture management in clothing
Figure 2: Sweating manikin
Figure 3: Polartec Power Dry
Figure 4: X-BIONIC The Trick