Thermo‐physiological comfort of a PES fabric with incorporated activated carbon: Part I: preliminary physical analysis

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the thermo‐physiological comfort of a knitted polyester (PES) fabric which contains activated carbon particles in the back‐side.

Design/methodology/approach

According to the manufacturer's intention, the activated carbon particles, added in the PES extrusion process, give permanent attributes to the garment, such as odour resistance, UV protection and evaporative cooling. These features should make the modified PES ideal for sportswear. Standard fabric characteristics (morphology, mass per unit area, thickness) have been evaluated for two similar fabrics, the one containing the modified PES yarn and the other one made of conventional PES yarn. The investigated thermo‐physiological properties were air permeability (AP), water vapour resistance (R_et ), thermal resistance (R_ct ), thermal conductivity and diffusion, drying rate, vertical wicking, horizontal liquid diffusion area and buffering capacity. They have been measured in controlled thermal and humidity conditions in a climatic chamber.

Findings

The modified fabric is more hydrophilic than the conventional one, thanks to the carbon particles sorption ability. Thus, the liquid management of the modified PES fabric was found to be better. On the other hand, liquid desorption was slow and the drying time was longer. Moreover, the dry heat and the vapour transfer were found slightly worse for the modified PES, probably due to the lower AP.

Originality/value

The paper shows a comprehensive fabric characterization of a functionalized fabric, highlighting the positive and negative effects of activated carbon particles on the liquid, vapour and heat management.

Citation

Splendore, R., Dotti, F., Cravello, B. and Ferri, A. (2010), "Thermo‐physiological comfort of a PES fabric with incorporated activated carbon: Part I: preliminary physical analysis", International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, Vol. 22 No. 5, pp. 333-342. https://doi.org/10.1108/09556221011071802