Moisture management

PLA is primarily hydrophobic, but more hydrophilic than PET. The moisture regaining and wicking properties are therefore superior to those of PET (Table 29.1). There is considerable interest in using PLA either as an inner wicking layer or as an intimate blend with other natural fibers. Garments made from PLA feel more comfortable and are considered for sportswear as well as shirt applications. Wearers of PLA fabric experience improved physiological comfort even under active wear conditions [4]. 

The bacteriostatic properties of PLA fibers tested with the standard method using Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P as the inoculum are shown in Table 29.2. 

FIGURE 29.6 Aerobic biodegradation photographs of PLA fabric in compost at 58 2°C in comparison with those of cotton, wool, and PET fabric. 

FIGURE 29.7 Aerobic composting test result of PLA fibers according to ISO 14855. 

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In active and endurance sports, the performance of a sportswear is synonymous with its comfort characteristics. In active wear for outdoor use, the clothing should be capable of protecting the wearer from external elements such as wind, sun, rain and snow. At the same time, it should be capable of maintaining the heat balance between the excess heat produced by the wearer due to increased metabolic rate on the one hand, and the capacity of the clothing to dissipate body heat and perspiration on the other. Moisture management is the process of transporting moisture in the form of perspiration away from the skin to the outer surface of a fabric or garment where it can evaporate. 

Much research effort has been concentrated on designing and developing moisture management fabrics as companies aim to enhance their functionality by imparting cooling sensations, UV protection and antimicrobial efficacy. 

Core yam and cover yam with elastomeric fiber as the core shows lower elongation than that of the fiber itself. Usually, the draw ratio of the elastomeric fiber is from 2 to less than 4 when spinning as a core yam. Even with the elongation decrease, other mechanical properties have been improved such as tenacity, antifriction, hand feeling, and other functions such as moisture management. The elastomeric yams greatly increase the process ability and wearability of bare elastomeric fiber itself. These yams also are another important basis for functional sportswear design besides the elastomeric fibers. 

Moisture management sportswear Profiled PTT High moisture absorption spandex... 

Similar to conventional cut and sew sportswear, the conventional sports shoe upper is often made of various materials to address the mapping of the required physiological requirements such as heat and vapour transfer and also moisture management. In addition, materials of varying rigidity and strength are also normally mapped onto the sport shoe upper to provide required combination of support and flexibility. These various materials and other components could be joined with an adhesive or seams. 

The distribution of temperatures and saturation pressures within the clothing is dependent on the overall insulation and permeability of all the layers. The heat and mass transfer through each layer, as well as the formation of condensation or the evaporation of liquid within one particular layer is therefore dependent on its neighbouring layers. For this reason, thermal insulation and moisture management properties are not simply the sum of the single layers but also have to be assessed on the whole layering system in similar temperature and relative humidity conditions as in practice. 

Oner, E., Atasagun, H.G., Okur, A., Beden, A.R., Durur, G., 2013. Evaluation of moisture management properties on knitted fabrics. J. Text. Inst. 104, 699-707. 

Onofrei, E., Rocha, A.M., Catarino, A., 2011. The influence of knitted fabrics structure on the thermal and moisture management properties. J. Eng. Fibers Fabr. 6, 10-22. 

Yoo, S., Barker, R.L., 2004. Moisture management properties of heat-resistant workwear fabrics - effects of hydrophilic finishes and hygroscopic fiber blends. Text. Res. J. 74, 995-1000. 

A New materials (such as Birds Eye Polyester) provide better wicking and moisture management and are more effective at keeping workers cool. High visibility apparel makers are now producing softsheU jackets that are water resistant, windproof, breathable, lightweight and durable. 

High performance fibres are usually mixed or interwoven in the fabrics, or used as layered fabric structures so as to have a combination of multiple protection functions in protective clothing. Most of those high performance fibres, except those converted from natural fibre sources, are stiff and do not have moisture management properties, and some of them have poor durability therefore, the fabrics made from them are frequently used together... 

The possibility of anisotropic insertion of the capsules into the foam can reinforce the regulator effect by concentrating PCMs towards the interior of the clothing. This provides excellent moisture management as well as thermal control. 

C. Keiser, Steam Bums Moisture Management in Firefighter Protective Clothing, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 2007. 

G. Bedek, F. Salatin, Z. Martinkovska, E. Devau, D. Dupont, Evaluation of thermal and moisture management properties on knitted fabrics and comparison with a physiological model in warm conditions, Appl. Ergonom. 42 (6) (2011) 792—800. 

S. Petrusic, E. Onofrei, G. Bedek, C. Codau, D. Dupont, D. SoulaL Moisture management of underwear fabrics and linings of firefighter protective clothing assemblies, J. Text. Inst. 

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