This study evaluates the efficiency of non-flammable functional underwear used as a secondary heat barrier in extreme conditions. Five groups of knitted fabrics were analysed for flame resistance and selected physiological properties (water vapour permeability, air permeability, thermal resistance and liquid moisture transport by moisture management transport). The results indicated similar levels of flame resistance for the materials tested but show important differences in terms of physiological characteristics, namely liquid moisture transport, which influences the safety and comfort of protective clothing.

Liquid moisture transport of textile structures has been studied in order to manage human perspiration well. This article deals with investigation of dynamic moisture transport of knitted fabrics by sophisticated methods, such as moisture management tester (MMT), thermography and microtomography systems. Three groups of knitted fabrics were analysed by the above-mentioned methods. Specifically, the distribution of liquid drops on samples was compared with the results of vertical wicking of tested materials and the parameter of three-dimensional fabric porosity. Both dynamic spreading of liquid drops on the surface of samples (from top and bottom sides simultaneously) and vertical wicking behaviour of textiles were analysed by the combination of thermography and image analysis system. Further, the results from MMT and porosity analysis by microtomography system were investigated to specify the interaction between structure parameters of knitted fabrics and their liquid transport properties which influence total wear comfort.

This study investigates the effect of material composition on moisture management properties. Fiber type has significant influence on the moisture management properties of knitted fabrics. In this article, single jerseys knitted fabric samples with different yarn compositions were prepared. Liquid moisture transportation properties including wetting time, absorption rate, spreading speed, one-way transportation capability, and OMMC were evaluated by Moisture Management Tester (MMT) and vertical wicking was evaluated using thermography system and image analysis. Knitted sample having fine cotton yarns with coolmax and micro denier multifilament polypropylene showed best liquid transportation properties. There is a strong co-relation between OMMC and accumulative oneway transport index with vertical wicking of knitted samples.

This study deals with the eff ect of dye-sublimation printing on the performance of underwear. Two groups of polyester knitted fabrics were analysed. The change of tree selected groups of properties was investigated before and after the application of dye-sublimation printing, namely durability (breaking force and elongation, abrasion resistance and pilling resistance), physiological properties (water vapour permeability, air permeability) and colour-fastness (resistance to rubbing, to domestic and commercial laundering, to perspiration). Further, the structure changes of fabrics (thickness and density) during heat pressing both without application of dyes (without transfer printing on material) and with application of dyes were also studied to analyse the aff ect extent of printing conditions (particularly pressure and temperature) on total wear comfort printed fabrics. The results show that the tested materials meet requirements in terms of colour-fastness to rubbing, to domestic and commercial laundering and to perspiration to a very high standard (grade 5). In terms of abrasion resistance and pilling resistance the material also showed high resistance. The air permeability for both fabrics decreased by about 40% in comparison with the value obtained before printing and the mechanical properties slightly increased (about 8%). This was due to an increase in the stitch density and a decrease in the thickness, therefore reducing the porosity of the material for printing conditions, mainly due to the infl uence of the pressure and temperature within the heat press machine.

This paper deals with investigating performance of car seat fabrics in terms of their compression and recovery properties and physiological comfort of sitting. Polyurethane foam, nonwoven and 3D knitted spacer fabrics are commonly used as padding (in middle layer) in car seats cover. The current work presents an alternative approach to evaluate effectivity of car seat fabrics, namely their compression behaviour, variation in thickness under dynamic loading, thermal properties, water vapour resistance and air permeability. The above mentioned properties belong to basic requirements in car seat manufacturing. Micro tomography system was used to obtain detailed information about change in internal structure of fabric samples, before and after compression test.