The Effect of a Grooved Hollow in a Fibre on Fabric Moisture- and Heat-transport Properties

Abstract

It is shown that polyester fibres are able to absorb water more easily by making a grooved and/or a non-grooved hollow in a fibre. The effect of water absorbency becomes larger with an increase in the ratio of space to polymer in the fibre cross-section if the yarn and fabric structures are the same. The effect is especially large under high-humidity conditions. The retention of warmth by polyester-fibre fabrics is increased by making a grooved and/or non-grooved hollow in a fibre in dry conditions, but the effect is reversed in wet conditions. The thermal conductivity of polyester-fibre fabrics is reduced by making a grooved and/or a non-grooved hollow in a fibre, and the trend agrees well with the ratio of space to polymer in the fibre cross-section. The parameter q-max for polyester-fibre fabrics increases with relative humidity if the fabrics absorb water. However, the effect of the surface-contact area is more important for the measurement of q-max.