Moisture Sorption and Transport in Clothing During Wear

Abstract

Discomfort results when sweat accumulates on the skin. The sorption of water vapor by hygroscopic clothing near the skin and its release when the clothing moves away from the body can enhance sweat removal. Such a process depends on the relative humidity being higher near the skin than in the ambient atmosphere, and may accompany heavy sweating. Experiments and theoretical models have indicated that a small effect of this kind may occur in wear.