Moisture transmission behaviour of individual component and multi-layered fabric with sweat and pure water

Moisture transport through multilayer clothing system is one of the most important aspect governing the comfort and performance of multi-layered clothing system. In the present study, properties critical to functioning of outdoor apparels were tested using sweat and pure water for both multi-layered and single layer components i.e., polyester knitted fabric as inner layer (next to skin), polyester fleece/polyester spacer as middle layer and PU coated nylon as outer layer. Water vapour transmission rate of fabrics when tested with sweat solution was significantly lower as compared to water. Fabric with sweat also showed lower drying rate than with water. For sweat solution, absorption rate is higher for both inner and outer surface as compared to pure water for single layer fabrics. However, the wetting time (inversely related to spreading speed) is higher at inner surface and lower at outer surface. In general, the performance of multi-layered ensemble is dominated by the impact of PU coated layer. Multi-layered structure with spacer fabric as middle layer exhibits better water vapour transmission rate, overall moisture management coefficient and drying rate as compared to multi-layered structure with fleece fabric.