Influence of the knitted fabric GSM, functional finishes and fibre composition on the water vapour permeability performance

摘要

Water vapour permeability is one major property which is a measure for vapour transmission behaviour of clothing. Moisture from clothing may be transferred in vapour and liquid form. Transfer in vapour form involves different mechanisms like diffusion, sorption, absorption, convection and condensation whereas wetting and wicking are the two mechanisms for transfer in liquid form. A fabric's moisture management performance is also influenced by its air and water vapour permeability. In this study, the influence of finishes on the moisture management property of different knit sportswear fabrics has been carried out. For the study, two different knit fabrics of 100% Polyester and 100% Nylon with three different GSM levels (100, 130 and 160) and three concentration level has been selected. I have used moisture management finish, PEH and CDL finishes for this study. Moisture management finishes are used to improve absorbency, wetting and wicking action. CDL finish is done for permanent odour absorbing functional requirements of the fabric. PEH finish is used softening and comfort of the fabric. The result shows that in the case of finished fabric at a certain concentration level, as the fabric GSM increases the value of water vapour permeability decreases. The knitted fabrics of 100% Polyester and 100% Nylon composition follow a similar trend. Further with the increase of fabric finish concentration level, water vapour permeability (WVP) decreases.