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This paper traces the evolution of objective measurement of textile hand and comfort from Pierce through modern methodology and approaches. Special emphasis is given to discuss the contribution of the Kawabata Evaluation System (KES) towards advancing the state of objective measurement. Laboratory case studies are used to show how data generated by the KES and other instruments can be integrated into a comprehensive approach that attempts to explain human comfort response to garment wear in terms of fabric mechanical, surface and heat and moisture transfer properties.

Examines the tenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.

This paper aims to investigate the comfort properties of modern functional clothing, such as moisture and heat transport. Transport properties are evaluated for real barrier membrane clothes for sport application, under real weather conditions in Middle Europe.

The different combination of functional clothing, with barrier membrane, were investigated under different temperatures and relative moistures inside and outside clothing layers. Water vapour permeability was measured under the steady‐state conditions, by sweating guarded‐hotplate test.

This paper describes the theoretical analysis of moisture transport, and its influence on thermal conductivity; the paper investigates various barrier fabrics for sport apparel, and their ranges of water vapour transport ability under real weather conditions.

All received results are based on the transport of water vapour through a semi‐permeable membrane and are supposed to be conducted mainly within a process of diffusion.

This paper is focused on the theoretical analysis of transport by diffusion of water vapour through porous semi‐permeable barrier textile material, and evaluates the real possibilities for sport applications. The level of transport is limited and mainly depends on the difference of the partial pressures of water vapours outside and inside the porous clothing material.

Lightweight, open construction cotton knitted fabrics generally do not impart good protection from solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR). As lightweight 100% cotton single jersey is highly cherished for summerwear, it is sine qua non to understand the structural parameters that effectively strike a good balance between UV protection and thermophysiological comfort of the wearer. Relatively heavy fabrics protect from UVR, but comfort is compromised because of waning porosity, increase in thickness and thermal insulation. The purpose of this paper is to engineer knits that will bestow maximum UV protection while preserving the thermophysiological comfort of the wearer.

In total, 27 cotton single jersey fabrics with different areal densities and yarn counts were selected. Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) was calculated based on the work of Imrith (2022). To précis, the authors constructed a UV box to measure the UPF of fabrics, denoted as UPF_B. UPF_B data were correlated with AATCC 183-2004 and yielded high correlation, R² 0.977. It was concluded that UPF 50 corresponds to UPF_B 94.3. Thermal comfort properties were measured on the Alambeta and water-vapour resistance on the Permetest. Linear programming (LP) was used to optimize UPF_B and comfort. Linear optimization focused on maximizing UPF_B while keeping the thermophysiological comfort and areal density as constraints.

The resulting linear geometrical and sensitivity analyses generated multiple technically feasible solutions of fabrics thickness and porosity that gave valid UPF_B, thermal absorptivity and water-vapour and thermal resistance. Subsequently, an interactive optimization software was developed to predict the stitch length, tightness factor and yarn count for optimum UPF_B from a given areal density. The predicted values were then used to knit seven 100% cotton single jersey fabrics and were tested for UV protection. All seven fabrics gave UPF_B above the threshold, that is, higher than 94.3. The mathematical model demonstrated good correlations with the optimized parameters and experimental values.

The optimization software predicted the optimum UPF_B reasonably well, starting from the fabric structural and constructional parameters. In addition, the models were developed as interactive user interfaces, which can be used by knitted fabric developers to engineer cotton knits for maximizing UV protection without compromising thermophysiological comfort. It has been demonstrated that LP is an efficient tool for the optimization and prediction of targeted knitted fabrics parameters.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of treatments using chitosan in different degree of deacetylations (DDs) on thermophysiological comfort properties of nylon 6,6/elastane pressure garments using a large skin model hot plate instrumentation to prevent infection and excess sweating during burn scar management for future designs.

Chitosans in different DD (DD 70, DD 81 and nylon 6,6/elastane fabrics in different structures, then the total DD 90) are treated with thermal resistance (R_ct) ((°ΔC)(m²)/W), total heat loss (Q_t or THL) (W/m²), apparent total evaporative resistance ( R e t A ), ((ΔkPa)(m²)/W), apparent intrinsic evaporative resistance ( R e f A ), ((ΔkPa)(m²)/W) and total insulation values (I_t) (clo) were analyzed using the large skin model hot plate instrumentation in comparison with untreated control samples. Antimicrobial activities, washing tests and moisture regain properties were also evaluated.

It is found that chitosan DDs have a significant effect on thermophysiological comfort properties of nylon 6,6 fabrics. A small but statistically significant decrease was observed in thermal resistance (R_ct) (Tog) and isolation (I_t) (clo) properties for higher chitosan DDs and for higher chitosan concentrations for all fabric samples after each treatment. Antimicrobial activity showed a small but statistically significant decrease for all samples with the increase of DD and fabrics treated with lower DD 70 of chitosan showed better antimicrobial activity for all samples. Additionally, fabrics treated with higher DD’s exhibited higher moisture regain.

Treatments with chitosan in different DD and in different concentrations impact the heat and moisture transfer properties of nylon 6,6 fabrics significantly. It is a reference to evaluate the thermophysiological comfort properties of pressure garments for future designs using dry and sweating skin tests while imparting antimicrobial activity with chitosans in different DDs.

The thermophysiological comfort of fabrics is prerequisite as customers covet adequate moisture, heat management-supported and UV protective clothing that measure up to their levels of activities and environmental conditions. Hitherto, scant tasks have been reported with the purpose of engineering both comfort and UV protection simultaneously. From that vantage point, the objective of this work is to develop a model for optimum UPF, air permeability, water-vapour resistance, thermal resistance, thermal absorptivity and areal density of knitted fabrics.

Weft knitted fabrics of various compositions were investigated. UPF was tested using the Labsphere UV transmittance analyser. The FX 3300 (Textest instruments) air permeability tester was used to test air permeability. Thermal comfort and water-vapour resistance were evaluated using the Alambeta and Permetest instruments, respectively. Based on image processing, the porosity was measured. Fabrics thickness and areal density were measured according to standard methods. Furthermore, parametric and non-parametric statistical test methods were applied to the data for analysis.

Linear regression was substantiated by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Then multiple linear regression of porosity and thickness together on UPF and comfort parameters were visually depicted by virtue of 3D linear plots. Residual analysis with quantile-quantile and probability plots, advocated the tests using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The result was validated by comparison with experimental data tested. The samples gave satisfactory relative errors and were supported by the z-test method. All tests indicated failure to reject the null hypothesis.

The predictive models were embedded into an interactive computer program. Fabric thickness and porosity are the inputs needed to run the program. It will predict the optimum UPF, areal density and thermophysiological comfort parameters. In a nutshell, knitters may use the program to determine optimum structural parameters for diverse permutations of UPF and thermophysiological comfort parameters; scilicet high UV protection together with low thermal insulation combined with low water-vapour resistance and high air permeability.

Examines the fifthteenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.

To evaluate the effectiveness of ventilation systems in outdoor jackets, two jackets were purchased and modified, one made of PTFE laminated fabric and the other made of polyurethane coated fabric. Six male subjects undertook exercise routines simulating fell walking while wearing these jackets. The skin temperature at four different locations and the amount of perspiration generated during exercise were recorded for analysis. The experimental results were analysed using two‐ way analysis of variance. From the analysis it was found that during the exercise the design of the pit zip openings, especially with pit zip openings at both sleeve and side seams, in a jacket has an effect on thermal regulation, limiting the rate of temperature increase; however, during rest it is the fabric that plays the more important role. The results for the period of exercise suggest that the provision of ventilation at appropriate positions in the jacket could contribute considerably to heat loss irrespective of the use of breathable fabrics.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence and relationship of segment area and opening area in segmented protective pad in comparison to non-segmented pad to the energy absorption and performance attributes relevant to thermophysiological wear comfort.

The compressive stress-strain curves were obtained using Instron Tester and were used to analyse the energy absorption of the pads and the segmented pad assemblies. The dry thermal resistance and evaporative resistance of the non-segmented and segmented protective pads were obtained using MTNW Sweating Guarded Hot Plate.

The compression test results and performance attributes relevant to thermophysiological wear comfort test result demonstrated that the area segment and opening area of segmented pad influenced their energy absorption value, dry thermal resistance value and evaporative resistance value (permeability index value).

The results are expected to be useful for design and engineering of hip impact protective garments. Hip impact protective pads are used to prevent hip fractures in elderly people as a result of fall.

Examines the fourteenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.