Effect of Design and Method of Creating Wicking Channels on Moisture Management and Air Permeability of Cotton Fabrics

Abstract

Garments made from cotton fabrics can readily absorb perspiration during strenuous activities but give poor performance in terms of wicking and evaporation of the perspiration, resulting in wet sticky feeling to the wearer. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of design and method of creating wicking channels on the moisture management and air permeability of cotton fabrics. The fabric specimens were printed with hydrophobic fluorocarbon finish using four different print designs, each with two different types of printing squeegees. It was found that both the type of print design and squeegee type significantly affect most of the moisture management properties of the fabric. The study concluded that by selecting a suitable print design and squeegee type, moisture management capability of cotton fabrics can be significantly improved without sacrificing the fabric air permeability.

Keywords:

• moisture management
• air permeability
• cotton
• wicking channels
• printing