Materials

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21 pages, 6876 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Liquid Moisture Transport in Single and Layered Cotton Woven Fabrics

by Małgorzata Matusiak and Joanna Szpunar

Materials 2025, 18(10), 2326; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18102326 - 16 May 2025

Viewed by 76

The transport of liquid sweat mainly concerns the material that is next to the skin during clothing usage. When the inner surface of the material closest to the skin is adjacent to another layer of clothing, the matter is not so clear-cut. In [...] Read more.

The transport of liquid sweat mainly concerns the material that is next to the skin during clothing usage. When the inner surface of the material closest to the skin is adjacent to another layer of clothing, the matter is not so clear-cut. In the case of the multilayer clothing, the outer layer receives the liquid sweat from the next-to-skin layer and transport it further to ambient air. The aim of this work was to analyze the transport of liquid moisture in multilayer sets. Measurements were performed using a Moisture Management Tester. The studies confirmed that as a result of adding another layer in the outward direction, the characteristics of the liquid moisture transport of the internal surface of the inner layer of a multilayer package change significantly. The novelty of the presented research is the demonstration that the transport of liquid moisture in the layer adjacent to human skin may change when the next-to-skin layer is not adjacent to ambient air but to textile material forming the next layer of clothing. The presented studies also proved that the transport of liquid moisture on the inner surface of the layer adjacent to the skin changes to different extents depending on the type of material used as the next outer layer of clothing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textile Materials: Design, Properties and Applications)

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20 pages, 3940 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Workwear Fit on Thermal Insulation: Assessment Using 3D Scanning Technology

by Magdalena Młynarczyk, Joanna Orysiak and Jarosław Jankowski

Materials 2025, 18(9), 2098; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18092098 - 3 May 2025

Viewed by 198

Abstract

Thermal insulation is a basic property for describing a set of clothing and consists of the thermal resistance of the individual layers of clothing (which depends on the material used and its structure) and also takes into account the air gaps between the [...] Read more.

Thermal insulation is a basic property for describing a set of clothing and consists of the thermal resistance of the individual layers of clothing (which depends on the material used and its structure) and also takes into account the air gaps between the layers. Here, the total thermal insulation was measured in a climatic chamber with a thermal manikin. The air gaps were measured using a 3D scanning technique and calculated using the Blender 3D graphics program. Our study shows the effect of size (fit) on the size of the air gaps, as well as the influence of the air gap size on the thermal insulation value (both for static and dynamic conditions with 45 double steps and 45 double arm movements per minute) for workwear. The relationship of the total thermal insulation value on the volume and size of the air gap was described as a second-order polynomial (R2 > 0.8). It was observed that for workwear, thermal insulation did not increase when the air gaps exceeded approximately 30 mm or when the air gap volume reached 50–55 dm³. The highest total thermal insulation (~0.23 m²°C/W) was achieved when the garment closely fitted the wearer’s body (or in this case, the thermal manikin) without excessive tightness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textile Materials: Design, Properties and Applications)

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18 pages, 4187 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Thermal Comfort and Antimicrobial Properties of Base Fabrics for Smart Socks as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

by Farhana Momotaz, Rachel Eike, Rui Li and Guowen Song

Materials 2025, 18(3), 572; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030572 - 27 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1678

Abstract

This study investigates the unique interplay between thermal comfort and antimicrobial properties in base fabrics, shaping the foundation for the development of “Smart Socks” as advanced personal protective equipment (PPE). By delving into the inherent qualities of fibers such as cotton, polyester, bamboo, [...] Read more.

This study investigates the unique interplay between thermal comfort and antimicrobial properties in base fabrics, shaping the foundation for the development of “Smart Socks” as advanced personal protective equipment (PPE). By delving into the inherent qualities of fibers such as cotton, polyester, bamboo, and wool and exploring fabric structures like single jersey, terry, rib, and mesh, the research captures the dynamic relationship between material composition and performance. Terry fabrics emerge as insulators, wrapping the user in warmth ideal for cold climates, while mesh structures breathe effortlessly, enhancing air circulation and moisture wicking for hot environments. Cotton mesh, with its natural affinity for moisture, showcases exceptional moisture management. Antimicrobial testing, focused on fabrics’ interactions with Staphylococcus aureus, highlights the dormant potential of bamboo’s bio-agents while revealing the necessity for advanced antimicrobial treatments. This study unveils a vision for combining innovative fabric structures and fibers to craft smart socks that balance thermal comfort, hygiene, and functionality. Future directions emphasize sensor integration for real-time physiological monitoring, opening pathways to revolutionary wearable PPE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textile Materials: Design, Properties and Applications)

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14 pages, 3491 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Strong and Flexible Braiding Pattern of Carbon Nanotubes for Composites: Stiff and Robust Structure Active in Composite Materials

by Fumio Ogawa, Fan Liu and Toshiyuki Hashida

Materials 2023, 16(4), 1725; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16041725 - 19 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2320

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit high strength, Young’s modulus, and flexibility and serve as an ideal reinforcement for composite materials. Owing to their toughness against bending and/or twisting, they are typically used as fabric composites. The conventional multiaxial braiding method lacks tension and resultant [...] Read more.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit high strength, Young’s modulus, and flexibility and serve as an ideal reinforcement for composite materials. Owing to their toughness against bending and/or twisting, they are typically used as fabric composites. The conventional multiaxial braiding method lacks tension and resultant strength in the thickness direction. Some braiding patterns are proposed; however, they may have shortcomings in flexibility. Thus, this study proposed three types of braiding pattern for fabrics based on natural products such as spider net and honeycomb, in accordance with thickness-direction strength. The spider-net-based structure included wefts with spaces in the center with overlapping warps. At both sides, the warps crossed and contacted the wefts to impart solidness to the structure and enhance its strength as well as flexural stability. In addition, box-type wefts were proposed by unifying the weft and warps into boxes, which enhanced the stability and flexibility of the framework. Finally, we proposed a structure based on rectangular and hexagonal shapes mimicking the honeycomb. Moreover, finite element calculations were performed to investigate the mechanisms through which the proposed structures garnered strength and deformation ability. The average stress in fabrics becomes smaller than half (43%) when four edges are restrained and sliding is inserted. Under three-dimensional forces, our proposed structures underwent mechanisms of wrapping, warping, sliding and doubling, and partial locking to demonstrate their enhanced mechanical properties. Furthermore, we proposed a hierarchical structure specialized for CNTs, which could facilitate applications in structural components of satellites, wind turbines, and ships. The hierarchical structure utilizing discontinuity and sliding benefits the usage for practical mechanical systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textile Materials: Design, Properties and Applications)

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11 pages, 3616 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Tensile Behavior of Helical Auxetic Yarns with Finite Element Method

by Sai Liu and Zhaoqun Du

Materials 2023, 16(1), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16010122 - 22 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1832

Abstract

Complex yarns with helical wrapping structure show auxetic effect under axial tension and a wide perspective application. Experimental results suggested that initial helical angle was one of the most important structural parameters. However, the experimental method was limited and could not effectively explain [...] Read more.

Complex yarns with helical wrapping structure show auxetic effect under axial tension and a wide perspective application. Experimental results suggested that initial helical angle was one of the most important structural parameters. However, the experimental method was limited and could not effectively explain the deformation behavior or auxetic mechanism. A finite element model of the helical auxetic yarn was built and used to analyze the interactive relationship between the two components and the stress distribution mode. The effectiveness and accuracy of the model was first verified by comparing with the experimental results. The simulation results showed that the complex yarn with initial helical angle of 14.5° presented the maximum negative Poisson’s ratio of −2.5 under 5.0% axial strain. Both the contact property between the two components and the radial deformability of the elastic core filament were key factors of the auxetic property. When the contact surfaces were completely smooth and the friction coefficient μ was set to 0, the complex yarn presented non-auxetic behavior. When the Poisson’s ratio of the core filament was 0, the complex yarn showed greater auxetic effect. During the axial stretching, the tensile stress was mainly distributed in the wrap filament, which led to structural deformation and auxetic behavior. A pair of auxetic yarns showed pore effect and high expansion under axial strain. Thus, it may be necessary to consider new weaving structures and preparation methods to obtain the desired auxetic property and application of auxetic yarns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textile Materials: Design, Properties and Applications)

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9 pages, 3088 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Smart Humidly Adaptive Yarns and Textiles from Twisted and Coiled Viscose Fiber Artificial Muscles

by Mingrui Guo, Yangyang Peng, Zihan Chen, Nan Sheng and Fengxin Sun

Materials 2022, 15(23), 8312; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15238312 - 23 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2212

Abstract

The self-adaptive nature of smart textiles to the ambient environment has made them an indispensable part of emerging wearable technologies. However, current advances generally suffer from complex material preparation, uncomfortable fitting feeling, possible toxicity, and high cost in fabrication, which hinder the real-world [...] Read more.

The self-adaptive nature of smart textiles to the ambient environment has made them an indispensable part of emerging wearable technologies. However, current advances generally suffer from complex material preparation, uncomfortable fitting feeling, possible toxicity, and high cost in fabrication, which hinder the real-world application of smart materials in textiles. Herein, humidity-response torsional and tensile yarn actuators from twisted and coiled structures are developed using commercially available, cost-effective, and biodegradable viscose fibers based on yarn-spinning and weaving technologies. The twisted yarn shows a reversible torsional stroke of 1400° cm⁻¹ in 5 s when stimulated by water fog with a spraying speed of 0.05 g s⁻¹; the coiled yarn exhibits a peak tensile stroke of 900% upon enhancing the relative humidity. Further, textile manufacturing allows for the scalable fabrication to create fabric artificial muscles with high-dimensional actuation deformations and human-touch comfort, which can boost the potential applications of the humidly adaptive yarns in smart textile and advanced textile materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textile Materials: Design, Properties and Applications)

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9 pages, 4119 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design, Manufacture, and Characterization of Auxetic Yarns with Multiple Core/Wrap Structure by Braiding Method

by Sai Liu, Haoyu Chen, Yizhu Li and Zhaoqun Du

Materials 2022, 15(18), 6300; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15186300 - 10 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2140

Abstract

Auxetic textiles with a negative Poisson’s ratio show significant energy absorption and synclastic curvature characteristics and potential application value in sportsmen protection material. The stability and reliability of the structure and properties of auxetic textiles is also an important factor to assess and [...] Read more.

Auxetic textiles with a negative Poisson’s ratio show significant energy absorption and synclastic curvature characteristics and potential application value in sportsmen protection material. The stability and reliability of the structure and properties of auxetic textiles is also an important factor to assess and promote the application. Thus, auxetic yarns with multiple core/wrap structure were prepared by a 16-spindle braiding machine. It mainly focused on the axial stretching behavior and the relationship between the structure and auxetic effect of yarn samples. The maximum Poisson’s ratio of auxetic yarns was −3.26. The experimental results also showed that the complex yarns still presented an auxetic effect during 30 repeats of cycle stretching. According to the study about the repeatable stretchability and auxetic effect of complex yarns, it could be expected to provide more comfortable, safer, and smarter protective textiles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textile Materials: Design, Properties and Applications)

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18 pages, 6988 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Comfort and Electrostatic Properties of Socks Containing Fibers with Bio-Ceramic, Silver and Carbon Additives

by Laimutė Stygienė, Sigitas Krauledas, Aušra Abraitienė, Sandra Varnaitė-Žuravliova and Kristina Dubinskaitė

Materials 2022, 15(8), 2908; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15082908 - 15 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2544

Abstract

Socks are an important part of our clothing used in everyday activities. In order to ensure thermal comfort during wear in cool outdoor or indoor conditions, and for health improvement, socks must have effective thermoregulation properties. Chemical far-infrared (FIR) fibers with different bio-ceramic [...] Read more.

Socks are an important part of our clothing used in everyday activities. In order to ensure thermal comfort during wear in cool outdoor or indoor conditions, and for health improvement, socks must have effective thermoregulation properties. Chemical far-infrared (FIR) fibers with different bio-ceramic compounds incorporated into socks’ structures can provide an improved thermoregulation effect to the wearer of the socks. Fibers with silver and carbon additives incorporated in their structures can also affect the thermoregulation properties of socks. Moreover, these conductive additives avoid the unpleasant effect of static electricity of socks. The main parts of the different investigated structures of the socks were made in a plush pattern. The plush loops were formed by using functional Resistex^® Bioceramic, Shieldex^® and two modifications of Nega-Stat^® fiber yarns. The main thermal comfort (thermal efficiency, microclimate and heat exchange temperatures, thermal resistance, water vapor permeability) and electrostatic (surface and vertical resistances, shielding factor, half time decay of charge) properties of the socks were investigated. Based on the obtained results of the thermal comfort and electrostatic characteristics of the different investigated structures of socks, the optimal static dissipative (half-time decay <0.01 s, shielding factor—0.96) plush knitting structure with 55% Resistex^® Bioceramic and 31% bicomponent Nega-Stat^® P210 fibers yarns was selected. Comparing the control sample without FIR and the knitted structure with conductive additives, we can draw the conclusion that the heat retention capability of the selected socks was improved by 1.5 °C and the temperature of their created microclimate was improved by 2 °C. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textile Materials: Design, Properties and Applications)

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