Abstract
Fluid transfer was characterized in terms of fluid absorption and evaporation in knitted pile fabrics. Two different test methods for the measurement were newly introduced according to the metabolic conditions of human body. One is the test employing an unlimited fluid source that could be expected to simulate the fluid transfer from a fabric saturated with sweat due to a continuing high metabolic activity. The other is the test employing a limited fluid source that could simulate a low metabolic activity after active movement that causes the exudation of sweat from the body to stop. For the study on the structural factors affecting the fluid transfer in knitted pile fabrics in these two different metabolic conditions, the variables considered are the blend ratio of constituent fibers in the yarn and the length of pile. All of the variables significantly affected the fluid transfer, which could be clearly rationalized on the basis of capillary sorption and desorption curves derived experimentally.