Comfort Factors for Activesport Fabrics


								What are the most important characteristics that determine whether a particular garment is comfortable to wear or not? The answer may differ depending on the wearer, occasion, or environmental conditions. When it comes to activesport fabrics, Toray solutions address six primary factors essential for providing the wearer with comfort while exerting energy either during heavy-duty applications or more casual outdoor activities. These factors are: (1) Waterproofness, (2) Moisture Permeability, (3) Water Repellency, (4) Heat Management, (5) Fabrication, and (6) Windproofness. Aiming to establish Toray's own standards for the comfort characteristics of activesport fabrics, we have recently performed various tests in a Toray artificial weather room called Technorama. This Vol. 1 Guide gives detailed information regarding the above factors (1) to (3). Additional tests are also planned for the near future to complete the list of Toray comfort standards. In addition to specification superiority, it is also important to combine different functional qualities in an optimal manner to specifically meet the individual requirements of each application. To facilitate customer choice of the fabric depending on application, this Guide also includes application-specific requirements of comfort characteristics.

								1. Waterproofness Due to air resistance, raindrops fall at a constant velocity which varies according to the size of the raindrops. The static water pressure of rainfall can be calculated according to speed. Wind also influences the water pressure of rainfall. When subjected to wind velocity of 20m/sec. (comparable to a typhoon), the static pressure of rainfall is estimated to reach 20,400m. In addition, when a person sits in a wet place, his weight affects the point of contact.If a person weighing 80kg, for example, evenly applies body weight to the buttocks, the area of contact usually measures 500. This translates into a static water pressure of 1,600mm. As the weight is naturally applied unevenly, the required minimum water pressure resistance is estimated to be five times greater than this figure. Taking these different factors such as rainfall, wind velocity, etc. into consideration, the required degree of waterproofness can be determined (Table 1).
								2. Moisture Permeability The fabric's moisture Permeability capability is determined by three factors: A-1, B-1 and MR values. The A-1 (calcium chloride) and B-1 (potassium acetate) methods are among the most frequently used to measure fabric moisture permeability. A-1 test data is effective in determining the comfort level of a fabric during a low-intensity activity or when the wearer's perspiration is limited. However, when the wearer is performing a high-intensity activity or perspires profusely, B-1 test data is more directly related to the level of comfort. Toray has conducted Technorama testing for waterproof, breathable garments (with known A-1 and B-1 moisture permeability values) under the environmental, exercise and wear conditions shown in Table 2.


								These tests have shown the following results: 1. The higher the fabric's A-1 moisture permeability, the lower the microclimate humidity (absolute skin humidity) becomes, during low-intensity activity at medium to high temperatures (Figure 1). 2. The higher the fabric's B-1 moisture permeability, the lower the condensation inside the garment (Figure 2).

								These tests have shown the following results: 1. The higher the fabric's A-1 moisture permeability, the lower the microclimate humidity (absolute skin humidity) becomes, during low-intensity activity at medium to high temperatures (Figure 1). 2. The higher the fabric's B-1 moisture permeability, the lower the condensation inside the garment (Figure 2).

								From these data, it can be concluded that moisture Permeability maximizes comfort more effectively when high moisture permeability is combined with high MR (breathing capacity)*. Also, a capillary action-based water transport system (e.g., FIELDSENSOR) and special "wicking finish" (e.g., STUNNER QD) help minimize the stuffiness and keep the wearer dry through the efficient outward transportation of perspiration.
								* For fabrics with fiber that has a high water retention ratio (e.g., cotton), a high MR does not necessarily lead to greater comfort.


								3. Water Repellency Durable water repellency is also a vital property of activesport fabrics, especially for heavy-duty applications. If water repellency is poor or lowers over time, water will layer on the fabric surface (Figure 7). This lowers the original waterproofness, moisture permeability and warmth retention of the fabric.When compared to conventional water repellent finishes, the Super Durable Water Repellent finish ensures that the fabric's performance qualities function more effectively and last longer.
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