Heat Retention
Heat retention is a function that stores heat gained from sunlight, the human body, and other sources in the material or finished layer, and releases it when the temperature drops, helping to keep warmth inside clothing.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
Heat retention is a function added to apparel textiles that temporarily retains heat received from outside and releases it when the surrounding temperature drops. In addition to the inherent properties of the fiber itself, it may be expressed through processing that includes functional particles or through a layered structure.
Heat retention is distinguished from insulation due simply to the textile being thick or containing a lot of air. However, actual warmth during wear is affected not only by the heat-retention function, but also by textile thickness, density, lining, quilt batting, layering, and more.
Features
Heat-retention textiles are expected to use heat received in outdoor daytime settings or heated environments to soften temperature changes in situations where cold is easily felt. The amount of heat retained and its duration vary depending on the strength of the heat source, the wearing environment, and the material composition.
Appearance and hand feel are not determined by the heat-retention function alone. There is a wide range from lightweight fabrics to fuzzy products, knits, and wovens, and depending on the processing method, stiffness, luster, slip, breathability, and other characteristics may change. Checking the actual material is important.
Main Applications
It is used for autumn and winter inner layers, cut-and-sew tops, shirts, pants, jackets, and outerwear. It is also considered for commuting wear that moves between outdoors and indoors, and for sports and outdoor applications where both insulation and ease of movement are desired.
In designs that use sunlight, the perceived warmth changes depending on the exposed areas of the garment, the color of the outer fabric, and whether layers are worn. When using it as cold-weather wear, confirm not only the heat-retention function but also the combination with wind resistance, insulation, and moisture permeability according to the intended use.
How to Choose and Handling Precautions
When selecting, check the heat-retention mechanism, test conditions, post-wash function retention, industry weight, thickness, and stretch in the specification sheet or swatches. Since the feeling of warmth varies from person to person, conducting wear tests at the planning stage helps evaluate the finished result.
Shrinkage and dimensional changes are affected not by the presence or absence of a heat-retention function, but by the base fabric fibers, structure, and finish. Before cutting, consider boiling-off treatment or straightening as needed, and follow the care label and processing conditions for each textile for washing, drying, and ironing.
For textiles that include resin processing or surface finishing, care is needed regarding needle holes during sewing, presser marks, and changes in hand feel caused by heat. To avoid seam puckering and seam slippage, confirm the needle size, thread, and feed conditions with trial sewing before mass production.
Differences from Similar Terms
Moisture-absorbing heat generation is a function that mainly uses the heat generated when moisture is adsorbed, and the way heat is obtained differs from heat retention, which retains and releases heat received from outside. Some textiles combine both functions, so confirm the basis of the function as well as the label.
Insulation is a general term for performance that makes it harder for warmed air and body heat inside clothing to escape. Raised backing is a surface or back-side finish that makes it easier to gain insulation through an air layer created by fuzz. Heat retention is a function related to the inflow and outflow of heat and is not synonymous.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is heat-retention textile the same as moisture-absorbing heat-generation textile?
No, they are not the same. Heat retention is the idea of retaining and releasing heat received from sunlight, the surrounding environment, or the human body, while moisture-absorbing heat generation uses the heat released when moisture is adsorbed. However, some textiles combine both functions, so check the individual function description and test conditions.
Does heat-retention textile lose function after washing?
The durability of the function depends on the specifications, such as whether it is a type blended into the fibers or a post-finishing type. It is important to confirm changes according to the number of washes and handle it in accordance with the care label. Before mass production, also confirm the hand feel, shrinkage rate, and appearance after washing tests.
Can heat-retention textile alone be used for cold-weather clothing?
Cold-weather performance cannot be judged by heat-retention alone. In cold environments, wind resistance of the outer fabric, the air layer created by the lining and quilt batting, garment ease, and how little cold air enters through the cuffs and hem all affect warmth. Build the structure according to the expected temperature, activity level, and wearing time.
