Development of thermo-physiologically comfortable knit structure for sports application

Abstract

This comparative study was done to study modal fiber as an ecofriendly alternative of cotton fiber in polyester-cotton (PC) fabrics. Clothing serves as a barrier between environment and human body, thus providing the thermo-physiological comfort by controlling the transportation of moisture and heat from body to external environment. Thermo-physiological comfort is an important sportswear criterion in terms of sportsmen's comfort and performance. In this study, heat and mass transfer of active sportswear were evaluated. Thermal properties were measured by sweating guard hot plate, air permeability by air permeability tester and sweat response by moisture management tester. It was found that fabric with modal on face and micro polyester on back showed best transmission properties with good pilling resistance.