The pleasure you get when wearing clothes depends on many circumstances. From the hygienic properties of the fabric in particular.
Some products a person wears for years and it is impossible for him to part with them, others hang almost untouched in the closet. Several indicators form a feeling of comfort, one of which is hygroscopicity. What is this?
Theory
The hygroscopicity of a material is its ability to absorb moisture and release it. The word has an ancient Greek origin, “observation of moisture” means it in literal translation.
Takes into account hygroscopicity - the absorption of only that water by materials that are sprayed in the form of vapor in the air. The air around us has a certain humidity - they even talk about it in the weather forecast. Some fibers, by absorbing water, often change their properties. Due to their hygroscopicity, clothes and shoes can get wet even without rain.
Hygroscopicity what is it? This is comfort
The degree of hygroscopicity is estimated by the value of humidity. It depends to a large extent on the conditions of its definition:
- Actualcall the humidity normal in the understanding of buyers. Under existing conditions, it shows the moisture content (as a percentage) in relation to the fabric dry.
- Conditional humidity - humidity under normal atmospheric conditions. Humidity - 65% and air temperature - 20 ° С.
- Maximum humidity - an indicator that was measured at a humidity of 100% and an air temperature of 20 ° C.
This is how experts evaluate hygroscopicity. But ordinary buyers want to know, without going into details, the general characteristics of hygroscopicity.
The feeling of comfort appears in a person if the fabric is able to absorb moisture. A favorable microclimate in the space surrounding the skin will always be present. Material that does not have this capability is unpleasant on contact. Hygienists do not recommend using such fabrics. In such clothes, a person will feel as if he is in a glass case.
Hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers
The composition of the fibers, the structure of tissues and their chemical structure depends on the response to water molecules:
- Hydrophilic fibers are raw materials that have special groups of atoms that show an affinity for water.
- Hydrophobic - fibers without such groups tend to repel water.
Hygienists, in addition to hygroscopic indicators, evaluate the vapor permeability and breathability of materials. Good fabrics can let air and vapor through, absorb moisture.
Fiberswhen moisture is absorbed, they increase in volume, their dimensions change. When a hygroscopic fabric enters an atmosphere with a humidity of 0%, drying does not occur immediately. Due to the interaction with the fibers, the water does not evaporate for a certain period of time and remains bound. In absolutely dry air, hygroscopic fabrics do not instantly lose water. The drying process is slow. In such clothes, a person, for example, in the desert, feels normal.
Materials with hydrophobic properties have low hygroscopicity. They dry up instantly in an environment of dry air. Unpleasant feelings appear in a person in clothes made of fabrics with little hygroscopicity. The skin of the body begins to dry out as the fabric dries.
Hygroscopicity of different fabrics
It is important for the buyer to have an understanding of the physical properties of the fabric in order to provide himself not only with a pleasant external impression of the clothes, but also with pleasure to wear them.
Wool
Woolen fabrics are the most hygroscopic. This structure of wool is conceived by nature and allows animals to safely survive in cold and hot weather, in the subtropics, deserts.
Wool fibers can absorb up to 17% moisture at normal air humidity. At high humidity, hygroscopicity can reach 40%.
Silk
Silk natural threads are less absorbent. The indicator under normal conditions is 11%. At high humidity it reaches40%.
Viscose
It is surprising that the next position is occupied by artificially created viscose fiber. Due to the hygroscopicity of wood and the cellulose frame, which remained after the modification of the raw materials, under normal conditions, the hygroscopicity of fabrics is 12%. Up to 40% increase in high humidity.
Linen
This fabric is ranked 4th in terms of hygroscopicity. 12% is equal to the ability to absorb moisture under normal conditions. Up to 21% increase in the most humid environment.
Cotton
The top five materials-leaders of hygroscopicity are closed by cotton. It is able to absorb up to 8% of moisture both under normal conditions and at maximum humidity of the surrounding conditions. Cotton mercerized fibers have a greater ability to absorb water.
All other fabrics have little hygroscopicity. What are these fabrics? These include:
- Acetate fibers, nylon, vinol (under normal conditions, the indicator is in the range from 5 to 7%).
- Chlorine-containing fibers, lavsan, spandex (hygroscopicity from 0.5 to 1.5%).
So what is hygroscopicity? A property that is quite important for summer clothes and sports uniforms, since increased body and air temperature leads to profuse sweating, which can create great discomfort for a person. It is the high hygroscopicity of the material from which the clothing is made that allows you to get rid of excess moisture. For manufacturers of casual underwear, this property is also the most important indicator.
AfterOnce the tissue has been processed, its ability to absorb and release water molecules is significantly reduced. Any impregnation that reduces wrinkling prevents shrinkage. Fixing dyes will inevitably lead to a significant reduction in hygroscopicity.
Definitely, it cannot be said that hygroscopicity is good. Yes, it makes it easier for people to endure the heat, and for athletes to perform exercises in fairly comfortable conditions. But excessive moisture can only harm some tissues. Under the influence of moisture, some fabrics can be deformed, for example, knitwear. On a smaller scale, this fate can befall some types of matter at high humidity. Therefore, it is not always possible to say with certainty that hygroscopicity is a plus.
