Relative sensation of wetness of different materials

Abstract

Previous studies have already shown that an illusion of wetness can be elicited by touching a dry cold object. Both metal and cloth are materials that can cause this illusion. This paper investigated the relative sensation of wetness caused by some other materials at the same low temperature. Participants were presented with stimulus pairs of different materials such as metal, PVC, acrylic and paper, and they had to judge which of the two felt wetter. From the results we obtained a scale of relative wetness sensation. Subsequently, several physical properties of the materials were measured. We conclude that materials that cause the human skin to cool quickly, cause the stimulus to feel relatively wet. Interestingly, also stickiness can lead to a sensation of relative wetness, even when presented at room temperature.