Influence of stretching on liquid moisture transport in knitted fabrics

Abstract

Moisture management in clothing is defined as the transfer of moisture from human body to the environment through the clothing [1]. Water vapour and liquid water (perspiration) need to get away from the human body to outside to keep the body dry. This action should happen immediately to have the maximal comfort of clothing usage. The aim of work was to investigate the liquid moisture transport in the knitted fabrics for babies and children clothing. Three variants of fabrics were the objects of the investigations. Measurement of the properties characterizing the liquid moisture transport in fabrics have been performed by means of the M290 Moisture Management Tester (SDL Atlas) [1,2]. Fabrics were tested in the relaxed and stretched state. Stretching of fabrics was realized by using the MMT Stretch Fabric Fixture device [3]. The percentage of stretch was adjusted at 15 %. On the basis of the results the knitted fabrics were compared in the aspect of their ability to ensure a physiological comfort. Influence of stretching on the parameters characterizing the liquid moisture transport in the fabrics was statistically analyzed and discussed.