Studies on Test Methods used to Measure Water Vapor Transmission of Fabrics by DSC and Conventional Dish Techniques

Abstract

The water vapor transmission of a wide range of base fabrics used in extreme cold weather protective clothing has been evaluated using the conventional dish and MDSC techniques. The results generated from the two methods are compared. The studies reveal that the two techniques cannot be compared directly due to different test conditions, although few samples exhibited good correlation. Further, the study examines and analyzes the effect of constructional parameters of the base fabric on water vapor transfer, factors that are often used as surrogate indicators of clothing comfort affecting the combat efficiency of soldiers.

Breathable and Flexible Piezoelectric ZnO@PVDF Fibrous Nanogenerator for Wearable Applications

“…The water vapor permeability (WVP) was measured with an upright cup method according to BS 7209 [49,50,51]. The tests were conducted in a conditioned room with 22.5 ± 0.5 °C temperature and 59.0 ± 1.5% relative humidity.…”

Biopolymer-based Stimuli-Responsive Polymeric Systems for Functional Finishing of Textiles

“…Cotton functionalized with the temperature responsive hydrogel which shows specific volume phase-transition (swelling and shrinking), represents a system that is able to control the evaporative rate at which a material can transport moisture vapour. There are several standard test methods available for measuring the water vapour permeability of fabrics, which can also be applied to microgel functionalized materials (Indushekar et al, 2005;Das et al, 2007;Huang & Qian, 2008;McCullough et al, 2003;Ding, 2008). Even though a number of methods are available for the determination of WVT rate of textile materials, the "pot" test method is still widely used.…”

“…If the resistance to water vapour diffusion is high, the moisture movement is impeded and discomfort sensation of dampness and clamminess may arise (Keighley, 1985;Huang & Qian, 2007). The main mechanisms of water vapour transport through textile layers are (Indushekar et al, 2005;Das et al, 2007): diffusion of water vapour through the air spaces between the fibres; absorption, transmission and desorption of water vapour by the fibres; adsorption and migration of water vapour along the fibre surface (wicking); and transmission of water vapour by forced convection. The transport through hygroscopic porous materials is complex, due to the tendency of fibres to take up water vapour and experience swelling that can close off the pores in the fabric.…”

Functionalization of cotton with poly-NiPAAm/chitosan microgel. Part I. Stimuli-responsive moisture management properties

“…Currently, a number of test methods are available to quantify the water vapour transport through textile materials, ranging from sophisticated methods like guarded hot plate (GHP) apparatus and dynamic moisture permeation cell (DMPC) to more simple ones where a conventional dish or cup method is used (Indushekar et al 2005;Das et al 2007;Huang and Qian 2008;McCullough et al 2003). Even though existing methods cannot be simply correlated as the consequence of being specifically related to the actual end-use of the material, they are successfully applied when WVTR of fabrics (and membranes) treated with different finishes and coatings needs to be measured.…”