Liquid transfer properties of textile fabrics as a function of moisture content

Abstract

Liquid transport in textile fabrics determines thermal comfort during high physical activity of a person when liquid perspiration is produced and needs to be transferred away from the skin to keep the thermal balance. In this investigation, an attempt was made to get some indications of how the combination of the fabric composition, geometry and dimensional stability, and the moisture content influences liquid transfer properties of plain weft knitted fabrics. Therefore, the knitted fabrics made from pure hydrophilic (hemp fibres), pure hydrophobic (acrylic fibres) and a hydrophilic/hydrophobic (hemp/acrylic) fibre blend underwent a trial wear and care period. The Malden Mills water distribution test was performed for the knitted fabrics with different moisture contents (0-30 %) in order to evaluate the effect on liquid transfer properties. Water transfer ability and water holding capacity of the knitted fabrics were also determined after undergoing the wear trial test. The obtained results were analysed with respect to macro and micro scales of porosity of knitted fabrics. It has been shown that the geometric configuration of the complex porous network in knitted fabrics influenced their liquid transfer properties in the whole moisture content range regardless of the composition. Despite the reconfiguration of the pore system in the knits during the trial period, their liquid transfer properties were still dependent on the pore size and distribution.