MOISTURE MANAGEMENT IN TEXTILE FABRICS

   MOISTURE MANAGEMENT IN TEXTILE FABRICS

Fabrics made of natural fibers, Regenerated fibers and manmade synthetic fibers as well as blend of these fibers. Fabrics made of natural fibers like cotton and linen are breathe sufficiently to keep wearer comfort. Fabrics made of regenerated fibers like Viscose, also breathe. Fabrics made of synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon can be made breathe artificially. This artificial requires to incorporate moisture management ability to the fabrics by using artificial fabric production technique.

     The sport person or athletes or heavy workmen perspire due to heat generation inside by body movements. This perspiration or sweat containing water vapor molecules of size 3.5 angstrom unit or 2 to 3 micro meter in diameter.To keep person comfort, feel cool and dry, the fabric has to perform below functions efficiently.

1. The perspiration in the form of moist or water vapor particles needs to transport to the outside surface of the fabric through the fabric of the garment. This transport takes place by capillary process ( more finer the yarn more speed of vapor transport ) ie,… wicking OR by pressure/humidity/temperature difference  between inside and outside environment ie.,, moist vapor molecules pushes through interstices (Empty space) between yarn to outside surface. OR by using Hydrophobic or Hydrophilic technique application.

2. Once moist or water vapor molecules comes out and placed on the face of the fabric, then it needs to evaporate. This is achieved by increasing the surface tension by increasing the area of fabric from fine yarn & tight weaving. So that, the vapor gets easily and quickly evaporated.

3. At the same time, the outside air needs to pass into the fabric to keep the person’s body dry. So the fabric should be air permeable.

    From the above 1st and 2nd function person feel COOL. And by 3rd function the person feel DRY. The final performance of fabric will be COMFORT to wear as functional fabric.

    These functionality will be achieved by applying coating to the shell fabric OR by laminating thin micro porous film to the shell fabric OR by incorporating high tech membranes in the shell fabric. The most & popular common chemicals used are PU (Poly Urethane) and ePTFE (Extended Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene).

Continued in next post....

Source:Based on educational qualification and experience of the Author/Blogger.