A Survey and Comparison of Laboratory Test Methods for Measuring Wicking

Abstract

A critical survey of the laboratory test methods used to measure wicking is presented, and the four main methods are compared through application to a range of knitted fabrics produced from various fiber types. Correlation of the results indicates which combination of methods provides a meaningful assessment of fabric wicking properties in the context of clothing comfort studies. Observations on the wicking properties of various fiber types shows that wicking is often not inherent to the fiber, but is in part due to surfactants, such as spin finishes, which can be removed by washing.