Moisture Absorption
Moisture absorption is the property of fibers and textile to take in water vapor from the surrounding air and retain moisture. It affects stuffiness during wear, hand feel, dimensional change, and how easily static electricity occurs.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
Moisture absorption is the property of fibers and textile to absorb water vapor from the air. Unlike water absorbency, which involves taking in liquid water such as sweat, moisture absorption is mainly evaluated in relation to humidity conditions and the water vapor inside clothing.
The degree of moisture absorption varies depending on the type of fiber, blend ratio, yarn and textile structure, and dyeing and finishing processes. Even with the same material name, behavior differs depending on product specifications, so it is important to check the test values for each textile and its condition after washing according to the application.
Hand Feel and Wearing Characteristics
Textile that has absorbed moisture may change in hand feel, such as softness, drape, firmness, and resilience, as its moisture content changes. In addition, by containing an appropriate amount of moisture, it may help suppress static electricity, which tends to occur when dry.
On the other hand, materials with a large moisture absorption capacity are affected by humidity and perspiration, and their weight, skin-cling, wrinkle retention, and dimensions may change. Appearance and comfort are not determined by moisture absorption alone; air permeability, moisture vapor permeability, thickness, and structure are also considered together.
Main Applications
Moisture absorption is emphasized in items that take into account discomfort caused by moisture inside clothing, such as innerwear worn close to the skin, shirts and blouses, cut-and-sewn items, socks, and bedding. It is relevant regardless of the season, but it is especially necessary to check it in periods when sweating is likely, or in environments with large temperature and humidity differences between indoors and outdoors.
Materials with moisture absorption are also used in autumn and winter clothing as a property for handling water vapor during wear. However, if warmth is the purpose, heat retention should be considered, and if reducing chill from sweat is the goal, quick-drying performance and ease of drying should also be selected.
Selection and Handling Precautions
When selecting textile, check not only the level of moisture absorption, but also the property of releasing absorbed moisture, drying speed, shrinkage after washing, wrinkles, and required care methods. Having moisture absorption does not mean quick-drying performance, so for applications involving perspiration, the combination with water absorbency and air permeability is important.
For textile expected to change dimension due to moisture absorption, let it roll before cutting and let it acclimate to the factory's temperature and humidity; if necessary, perform hot-water treatment or straightening. In sewing, conduct pretests and washing tests to prevent puckering and waviness caused by differences in shrinkage between the outer fabric, interlining, and accessories.
Differences from Similar Terms
Moisture absorbency and desorbency is a term that combines the property of absorbing water vapor from the air and the property of releasing the absorbed moisture. Moisture absorption refers to the absorbing side of that. Moisture absorption heat generation is a function that uses the heat generated when fibers adsorb water vapor, and it is distinguished from moisture absorption itself.
Water absorbency is the property of textile to absorb liquid water such as sweat or water droplets. Moisture vapor permeability indicates the performance of allowing water vapor to pass from one side of textile to the other. Both are related to stuffiness and comfort, but the phenomenon being evaluated and the test method are not the same.
FAQ
Are textile with high moisture absorption always comfortable even when you sweat?
Not necessarily. Moisture absorption mainly refers to the property of taking in water vapor, and it is different from water absorbency, which absorbs liquid sweat, and quick-drying performance, which indicates how easily something dries. For applications with a large amount of perspiration, it is necessary to check water absorbency, air permeability, moisture vapor permeability, and drying speed together.
Does textile with moisture absorption shrink easily?
There are materials and structures in which dimensions change easily due to moisture absorption, but shrinkage cannot be determined by moisture absorption alone. Shrinkage during washing is affected by fiber type, yarn twist, textile structure, and finishing processes. Before mass production, check the shrinkage rate with a washing test.
