Comfort Characteristics of Knitted Active Sportswear: Liquid Water Transportation

Abstract

Liquid water transport is a critical factor that affects the physiological comfort of sportswear. In this study, active kinds of sportswear of different international brands are studied and their liquid transport performances are evaluated. The fabric structure has been analysed by using a Leicamicroscope and the filament cross section has been analysed by using scanning electron microscopy. Vertical wicking against gravity is measured by using a vertical wicking tester. The in-plane flow of liquid is measured by using an in-plane gravimetric wicking tester. The liquid transport along the thickness is measured in terms of absorbency by using a gravimetric absorbency tester. It has been observed that the fabric structure, filament cross sectional shape and filament denier have substantial influence on liquid water transport.It is seen that with an increase in the fibre specific surface area, by changing the fibre shape factor and diameter, the wicking rate throughout the fabric increases.