EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF THE THERMAL COMFORT OF FUNCTIONAL KNITS IN THE WET STATE

摘要

The development of new and sophisticated value added products, with novel functional properties and based on existent technology has created a great interest. It is also a decisive factor to increase the competitiveness of the textile industry. To reach this goal, "functional" knitted structures have been developed, with at least two layers linked together by the structure itself or by a third element, in order to improve the thermal and physiological properties, and increase the utility value of the articles. The experimental study of thermal and physiological properties of functional knitted structures in the wet state is related to the type of structural construction, the characteristics of the materials used and the finishing technology applied. Given the necessary information for a deeper understanding of the behavior of these products, the effect of time on the results allows not only the evaluation and prediction of thermal and physiological comfort during wear but also setting reference values for the above mentioned properties, in order to achieve greater comfort. This research shows that the manufacture of clothes using "functional" knitted structures is an important contribution to increase thermal and physiological comfort performance. The development of this type of knitted product is becoming more important as clothes made with this new technology are more comfortable to wear.