Neutron Radiography Measurements of Moisture Distribution in Multilayer Clothing Systems

Abstract

Neutron radiography is used to study moisture transport in textiles for the first time. A selection of clothing systems composed of layers with differing water transport properties is studied to demonstrate the feasibility of using the technique. The results are compared to the weights of the individual layers obtained during separate sets of measurements in the same horizontal configuration, as well as in a vertical configuration on a heated cylinder. The results of the three measurement approaches agree with respect to layerwise moisture distribution in the different textile combinations, and the radiography data provide a lateral visualization of the distributions. A decisive role in fluid water transport is revealed for the innermost two textile layers.