Moisture vapor transport through waterproof breathable samples and clothing sys tems under a temperature gradient is examined using a simple research method. The results are compared with those obtained from isothermal tests. The transport properties are identified as being dependent on the temperature gradient across the waterproof breathable layer, the humidity of the clothing microclimate, and the interaction between water vapor and the clothing layers. The transport properties of hydrophilic polymers and clothing systems incorporating hydrophilic polymers, especially those with low transmission rates in the isothermal tests, improve by considerably greater amounts than those incorporating microporous polymers when a temperature gradient is applied.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ASTM E96-95, Water Vapour Transmission of Materials.
2.
BS 4407, Quantitative Analysis of Fibre Mixtures, 1997.
3.
BS 7209, Specification for Water Vapour Permeable Apparel Fabrics, 1990.
4.
CAN2-4.2-M77, Method of Test for Resistance of Materials to Water Vapour Diffusion (Control Dish Method), 1977.
5.
CGSB-4.2 No. 49-M91, Resistance of Materials to Water Vapour Diffusion.
6.
Crank, J., ch. 8 in "Moisture in Textiles," J. W. S. Hearle and R. H. Peters, Eds., The Textile Institute and Butterworths Scientific Publications , Manchester and London, 1960, pp. 83-122.
7.
Crank, J., and Park, G.S., ch. 1 in "Diffusion in Polymers," J. Crank and G. S. Park, Eds., Academic Press Inc., London, 1968 .
8.
Dolhan, P.A. , A Comparison of the Apparatus Used to Measure Water Vapour Resistance, J. Coated Fabrics17, 96-109 (1987).
9.
Ea, J.Y., Water Vapour Transfer in Breathable Fabrics for Clothing, PhD thesis , University of Leeds, 1988.
10.
Farnworth, B., and Lotens, W.A., and Wittgen, P., Variation of Water Vapor Resistance of Microporous and Hydrophilic Films with Relative Humidity, Textile Res. J.60, 50-53 (1990).
11.
Fourt, L., and Harris, M., Diffusion of Water Vapor Through Textiles, Textile Res. J.17, 256-263 (1947).
12.
Gibson, P., Factors lnfluencing Steady-state Heat and Water Vapor Transfer Measurements for Clothing Materials, Textile Res. J.63, 749-764 ( 1993).
13.
Goosey, M., ch. 8 in "Polymer Permeability," J. Comyn, Ed., Elsevier Applied Science Publishers, London, 1985.
14.
Green, J.H. , "An Introduction to Human Physiology," 4th (S.I.) ed., Oxford University Press, U.K., 1976, p. 152.
15.
Gretton, J. C., Doctoral thesis, University of Leeds, U.K.
16.
Gretton, J.C. , Brook, D.B., Dyson , H.M., and Harlock, S.C., TheMeasurement of Moisture Vapour Transmission Through Simulated Clothing Systems , J. Coated Fabrics25, 212-220 ( 1997 ).
17.
ISO 11092, Textiles—Physiological Effects—Measurement of Thermal and Water-Vapour Resistance under Steady-State Conditions (sweating guarded hotplate test), 1993.
18.
Ledward, K.L., The Anatomy of a Field Test, in "Proc. Survival 97 Conference," Leeds, U.K., 1997.
MOD Specification UK/SC/4778A SCRDE, Moisture Vapour Transmission Test Method.
21.
Newns, A.C. , The Methods of Determining the Water Vapour Permeability of Laminae, A Review of the Literature, J. Textile Inst.41, 269- 308 (1950).
22.
Osczevski, R.J., Water Vapor Transfer Through a Hydrophilic Film at Subzero Temperatures, Textile Res. J.66, 24-29 ( 1996 ) .
23.
Osczevski, R.J., and Dolhan, P.A., Anomalous Diffusion in a Water Vapour Permeabie, Waterproof Coating, J. Coated Fabrics18, 255-258 (1989).
24.
Renboume, E.T. , "Physiology and Hygiene of Materials and Clothing ," Merrow Publishing Company, Herts , England, 1971, pp. 8-9.
25.
Rogers, C.E. , ch. 2 in "Polymer Permeability," J. Comyn, Ed., Elsevier Applied Science Publishers, London. 1985.
26.
Spencer-Smith, J.L., The Physical Basis of Clothing Comfort, Part 3: Water Vapour Transfer Through Dry Clothing Assemblies, Clothing Res. J.5, 82 -100 (1977).
27.
Stannett, V. , and Yasuda, H., ch. 13 in "Testing of Polymers ," J. V. Schmitz, Ed., vol. 1, Interscience Publishers, NY, 1965 .
28.
Stem, J.T., and Cooper. A.S., Water Vapor Permeability of Certain Coated Fabrics, Am. Dyest. Rep.33, 150-156 ( 1944).
29.
Vokac, Z., Køpke, V. and Keül, P., Assessment andAnalysis of Bellows Ventilation, Textile Res. J.43,474-482 (1973).
30.
Watkins, D.A. , and Slater, K., TheMoisture Vapour Permeability of Textile Fabrics , J. Textile Inst.72, 11-18 (1981).
