Abstract
The water-vapor diffusion resistances of textile fabrics covering a wide range of weights, constructions, and fiber types have been measured. An overall linear but non- proportional relationship between resistance and thickness is apparent. The influence of percentage fiber volume and fiber distribution in the fabric is indicated. An empirical formula expressing resistance in terms of thickness and fiber volume is shown to describe reasonably well the behavior of most woven fabrics. Materials exhibiting considerable deviation were found to possess either very high or very low air permeability. A variety of evidence, including measurements of the resistance of films, leads to the conclusion that, with the possible exception of the densest fabrics under conditions of very high humidity, transmission of water vapor by the fiber does not contribute appreciably to the diffusion resistance of the fabric as a whole.
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