Characterizing the transplanar and in-plane water transport properties of fabrics under different sweat rate: Forced Flow Water Transport Tester.

The water absorption and transport properties of fabrics are critical to wear comfort, especially for sportswear and protective clothing. A new testing apparatus, namely Forced Flow Water Transport Tester (FFWTT), was developed for characterizing the transplanar and in-plane wicking properties of fabrics based on gravimetric and image analysis technique. The uniqueness of this instrument is that the rate of water supply is adjustable to simulate varying sweat rates with reference to the specific end-use conditions ranging from sitting, walking, running to other strenuous activities. This instrument is versatile in terms of the types of fabrics that can be tested. Twenty four types of fabrics with varying constructions and surface finishes were tested. The results showed that FFWTT was highly sensitive and reproducible in differentiating these fabrics and it suggests that water absorption and transport properties of fabrics are sweat rate-dependent. Additionally, two graphic methods were proposed to map the direction of liquid transport and its relation to skin wetness, which provides easy and direct comparison among different fabrics. Correlation analysis showed that FFWTT results have strong correlation with subjective wetness sensation, implying validity and usefulness of the instrument.

Characterizing the transplanar and in-plane water transport of textiles with gravimetric and image analysis technique: Spontaneous Uptake Water Transport Tester.

Water absorption and transport property of textiles is important since it affects wear comfort, efficiency of treatment and functionality of product. This paper introduces an accurate and reliable measurement tester, which is based on gravimetric and image analysis technique, for characterising the transplanar and in-plane wicking property of fabrics. The uniqueness of this instrument is that it is able to directly measure the water absorption amount in real-time, monitor the direction of water transport and estimate the amount of water left on skin when sweating. Throughout the experiment, water supply is continuous which simulates profuse sweating. Testing automation could even minimise variation caused by subjective manipulation, thus enhancing testing accuracy. This instrument is versatile in terms of the fabrics could be tested. A series of shirting fabrics made by different fabric structure and yarn were investigated and the results show that the proposed method has high sensitivity in differentiating fabrics with varying geometrical differences. Fabrics with known hydrophobicity were additionally tested to examine the sensitivity of the instrument. This instrument also demonstrates the flexibility to test on high performance moisture management fabrics and these fabrics were found to have excellent transplanar and in-plane wicking properties.

In vitro assessment of ultraviolet protection of coloured cotton knitted fabrics with different structures under stretched and wet conditions.

Clothing provides intrinsic ultraviolet (UV) protection that can be improved by colouration. However, the daily wearing condition can undermine the UV protection of coloured clothing wherein garments are stretched by body movement and/or wetted by perspiration of wearers. Knitwear is an indispensable clothing in summer, but its UV protection against wearing conditions lacks extensive study especially in a fabric structural approach. This article aimed at narrowing the research gap by focusing on the UV protection against stretch and wetness provided by various knitted fabric constructions incorporating the knit, tuck and miss stitches. The results show that the black knitted fabrics exhibit a significant reduction in the UV protection factor by 53% on average at a 10% stretch level. Knitted fabrics with miss stitches retained good UV protection even when the fabrics were stretched by 20% of its original dimensions.

A study on ultraviolet protection of 100% cotton knitted fabric: effect of fabric parameters.

The effect of fabric parameters such as weight, thickness, and stitch density on the ultraviolet (UV) protection of knitted fabrics was studied. Different knitting structures such as plain, pineapple, lacoste, and other combinations of different knitting stitches of knit, tuck, and miss as well as half milano, full milano, half cardigan, full cardigan, 1 × 1 rib, and interlock were prepared. Experimental results revealed that weight was the most important factor that affected UV protection while thickness and stitch density were not the leading factor in determining UV protection.

Effect of biopolishing and UV absorber treatment on the UV protection properties of cotton knitted fabrics.

Cotton knitted fabrics were manufactured with gauge number 20 G by circular knitting machine with conventional ring spun yarn and torque-free ring spun yarn. Torque-free ring spinning is a new spinning technology that produces yarns with low twist and balanced torque. This study examined whether the impact of biopolishing and UV absorber treatment on UV protection properties on cotton knitted fabric made of torque-free ring spun yarn is different. Biopolishing agent and UV absorber were used to treat the cotton knitted fabrics after scouring and bleaching. The UV protection properties were measured in terms of UV protection factor (UPF) and UV ray transmittance. Experimental results revealed that knitted fabric made from torque-free ring spun has better UPF than knitted fabric made from conventional ring spun yarn in untreated and biopolished states. However, knitted fabric made from conventional ring spun yarn has better UPF than knitted fabric made from torque-free ring spun after UV absorber treatment and combined UV absorber and biopolishing treatment.

Development of miconazole nitrate containing chitosan microcapsules and their anti-Aspergillus niger activity.

In this article, we report the development of chitosan/miconazole nitrate microcapsules. Four miconazole nitrate ratios including 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg were performed in the chitosan-based microencapsulation system. Chitosan microcapsules with the drug input of 25 mg showed the highest encapsulation efficiency (52.47%) and acceptable mean particle size (5.65 µm) when compared with those of 12.5, 50 and 100 mg. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic spectrum proved the entrapment of miconazole nitrate into chitosan microcapsules. The antifungal result demonstrated that microcapsules containing 75 µg miconazole nitrate possessed comparable anti-Aspergillus niger activity as the commercial ointment. The growth inhibition of miconazole nitrate containing chitosan microcapsules towards human skin keratinocytes was found to be dose dependent. A total of 75 µg of miconazole nitrate containing microcapsules revealed about 25% of growth inhibition while that of 150 µg showed approximately 70% of growth inhibition. Special monitoring should be taken if a higher dose of miconazole nitrate was used to develop the microcapsules.