Study on the Electrical Resistance of Textiles under Wet Conditions

Abstract

In this study, electrical resistances of different fabrics were indirectly tested on a purpose-built apparatus so as to investigate the effects of fiber materials, moisture regain, testing distances, and electrolyte concentration on the electrical resistance of textiles. Fabrics made from different fiber materials show different values of electrical resistance. Regression analysis shows the electrical resistance to be linearly related to the reciprocal of the moisture regain of fabric. The electrical resistance rises linearly with the increase of testing distance on fabric. Regression analysis also suggests the electrical resistance of fabrics is exponentially related to the electrolyte concentration. In this way, the relationship between electrical properties and moisture of textiles is analysed, which not only provides a theoretical analysis of moisture testing techniques, but also is helpful in exploring electrical-moisture textile apparatus and the designing of moisture absorbent and perspiration textiles.