• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.295-304
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the waterproofness and water vapor transport properties of 30 waterproof and breathable textiles in the market. MVTR upright cup test with water, MVTR inverted cup test with potassium acetate, and sweating hot plate test method were used for measuring the breathability of fabric samples. The waterproofness of all fabric samples and evaporative resistance of garment ensembles made with 5 selected waterproof and breathable textiles out of 30 samples were tested. The results of this study were as follows. The base fabrics of the most samples were basic weave structure with either polyester or nylon fiber. The waterproofness was over $5000mmH_2O$ for all the samples except densely woven fabrics. The evaporative resistance of garments that were made out of 5 fabric samples with a range of low to high breathability ranged $39.9{\sim}56.7m^2{\cdot}P{\cdot}W^{-1}$. The data of the water vapor transport properties of fabric samples varied with different test methods. Overall the bicomponent film fabrics showed better breathability and less standard deviation regardless of test methods. It is expected the breathability data without the information of test conditions used for marketing would confuse the consumers and the apparel manufacturers.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.118-130
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• 2011

In this study, hydrophilic polyurethane (PU) was synthesized by one shot process to get good non-swelling effect and to keep high breathability using reactive silicone oil of mono terminal and bi-terminal types. We also blended non reactive silicone oil with pure hydrophilic PU to compare non-swelling effect and breathability with hydrophilic PU synthesized by the two types of reactive silicone oils. The hydrophilic films were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray photo electron (XPS) spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), breathability, waterproofness, tensile strength, contact angle and swelling effect. The results showed that the film made by hydrophilic PU which was synthesized with mono terminal type silicone oil provided good non-swelling effect and acceptable moisture permeability due to the modified surface properties.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.122-129
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• 2012

To develop a waterproof breathable material, we fabricated three kinds of nanofiber web laminates using a massproduced electrospun nanofiber web with different substrates and layer structures. The waterproofness and breathability of nanofiber web laminates were evaluated after repeated launderings and compared with those of conventional waterproof breathable fabrics currently in use, including densely woven fabric, microporous membrane laminated fabric, and coated fabric. The durability of nanofiber web laminates, including adhesion strength, abrasion resistance, tensile strength, and tearing strength, was also assessed and compared with those of conventional waterproof breathable fabrics. The water vapor transmission of nanofiber web laminates increased slightly after repeated launderings, whereas the air permeability somewhat decreased after launderings but still maintained an acceptable level of air permeability. Laundering reduced the resistance to water penetration of nanofiber web laminates, which implies that laminating techniques or substrate materials that could support waterproofness of the laminated structure should be explored. The adhesion strength, abrasion resistance, tensile strength, and tearing strength of nanofiber web laminates were in a range comparable to conventional waterproof breathable materials.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.179-187
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• 2023

In this study, we developed a microfiber-based flexible pressure sensor with high sensitivity and excellent skin breathability. A nonwoven fabric composed of microfibers was prepared by electrospinning, which resulted in excellent moisture permeability of the sensor (143 g∙m^-2∙h^-1). In particular, high-pressure sensitivity (0.36 kPa^-1) was achieved by introducing submicron structures on the microfiber surface by controlling the ambient humidity during electrospinning. The fabrication technology of the microfiber-based flexible pressure sensors reported in this study is expected to contribute to the commercialization of flexible pressure sensors applicable to long-term wearable health monitoring as well as virtual/augmented reality and electronic skin applications.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.107-117
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• 2011

Polyurethane (PU) was synthesized by one-shot process and the PU nanofiber was prepared by electrospinning. In this study, electrospun PU multi-membranes were prepared with various coating thickness ratio of base resin to top resin, where the base resin contains melamine curing agent and acid catalyst and the top resin contains water-repellent agent of fluoro-carbon compounds. The PU nanofiber multi-membranes were analyzed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimeter, breathability, tensile strenth, air permeability and water resistance. The results showed that the PU multi-membrane provided excellent waterproof and moisture permeability.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2021

Objectives: Non-traditional materials are used for mask construction to address personal protective equipment shortages during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Reusable masks made from surgical sterilization wrap represent such an innovative approach with social media frequently referring to them as "N95 alternatives." This material was tested for particle filtration efficiency and breathability to clarify what role they might have in infection prevention and control. Methods: A heavyweight, double layer sterilization wrap was tested when new and after 2, 4, 6, and 10 autoclave sterilizing cycles and compared with an approved N95 respirator and a surgical mask via testing procedures using a sodium chloride aerosol for N95 efficiency testing similar to 42 CFR 84.181. Pressure testing to indicate breathability was also conducted. Results: The particle filtration efficiency for the sterilization wrap ranged between 58% to 66%, with similar performance when new and after sterilizing cycles. The N95 respirator and surgical mask performed at 95% and 68% respectively. Pressure drops for the sterilization wrap, N95 and surgical mask were 10.4 mmH2O, 5.9 mmH2O, and 5.1 mmH2O, respectively, well below the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health limits of 35 mmH2O during initial inhalation and 25 mmH2O during initial exhalation. Conclusions: The sterilization wrap's particle filtration efficiency is much lower than a N95 respirator, but falls within the range of a surgical mask, with acceptable breathability. Performance testing of non-traditional mask materials is crucial to determine potential protection efficacy and for correcting misinterpretation propagated through popular media.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.493-503
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• 2017

This study investigated water vapor permeability of the 73 breathable fabrics for sports-wear according to the materials, finishing methods and fabric structural parameters. The water vapor permeability by KS K 0594 method of PET breathable fabric was superior than that of nylon one, in addition, water vapor permeability of coated or laminated breathable fabrics were higher than those of hot melt or dot laminated fabrics. The water vapor permeability of breathable fabric was dependent on the thickness, weight and density, which was consistent with measuring method. However, water vapor permeability according to materials and finishing method showed different results according to measuring method. The correlation coefficient of WVP of PET breathable fabrics between ISO and KS K measuring methods was -0.83 and the correlation coefficient of WVP of coated breathable fabrics was -0.72 and -0.71 for KS K and ASTM and -0.72 for KS K and ISO in hot melt laminated breathable fabrics. According to regression analysis, WVP of PET breathable fabric by both KSK and ISO measuring methods was highly dependent upon on the density and weight. In addition, WVP of hot melt laminated breathable fabric was highly dependent upon thickness, weight and density. Therefore, relevant measuring method for WVP of breathable fabrics has to be adopted to measure precise breathability.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.878-888
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• 2016

In this study, wool/nylon(50/50%) blend yarn and its fabrics for tra-biz(complex word of travel+business) garment were prepared, and its wear comfort characteristics were investigated through thermal manikin and human-body wearing experiment. In addition, tactile wearing performance from fabric mechanical properties and the dimensional stability and the pilling of the fabric specimen during wearing and dry-cleaning were measured and compared with those of wool 100% fabric specimen. Heat keepability of the wool/nylon(50/50%) blend fabric by thermal manikin experiment was superior than that of wool 100% fabric, this result was verified with human-body wearing experiment and its result coincided well with this experimental result. Tactile wearing performance of the wool/nylon(50/50%) fabric from fabric mechanical properties measured by FAST system was better than that of the wool 100% fabric. The dimensional stability of the wool/nylon(50/50%) fabric was more stable than that of the wool 100% fabric. Because relaxation shrinkage was lower and hygral expansion of wool 100% fabric was more high. However, the breathability and pilling property of the wool/nylon(50/50%) fabric were inferior than those of the wool 100% fabric. The possibility of application for tra-biz garment of wool/nylon(50/50%) blend fabric was observed because of good heat keepability, tactile wearing performance and washing fastness.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.31 no.1 s.160
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• pp.77-84
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate and to compare the performances of silicone laminated materials sold for swimming cap in market, to get the basic data for product development. We selected 4 specimens and tested their air permeability, waterproofness and breathability. We also tested the physical and mechanical properties of the specimens using KES system. Silicone-laminated material was not bursted on high hydraulic pressure since silicone membrane gave waterproofness while PU/Polyester substrate gave elasticity. It didn't have air permeability and breathability at all. Any toxic materials such as Formaldehyde, Deldrin, PCP, Amin, TDBPP were not detected in silicone-laminated material and other materials. Silicone-laminated material had higher stretchability with the low force but it had lower elastic recovery and shape stability comparing to PU laminated material. It had lower flexibility than PU laminated material. It had lower unrecoverable amount in shearing direction. Friction coefficient was higher in silicone-laminated material than PU laminated material due to its surface stickiness. It was compressed easily and its compression resiliency was higher with compared to PU laminated material.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.462-475
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• 2015

This paper investigated the characteristics of the physical properties of woven fabrics according to the yarn structure and fibre property. It was found that wicking property of woven fabrics made of sheath/core hybrid yarn were better than those of siro spun and siro-fil hybrid yarns, which was caused by platform for transport of moisture vapor by filaments on the core part of sheath core hybrid yarns. In drying property, the fabric specimen woven by PP/Tencel sheath core hybrid yarns as a warp and Coolmax/Tencel spun yarn as a weft showed quick drying property, which was caused by the sheath core hybrid yarn structure as drainage of water moisture and coolmax fibre characteristics as quick dry material. Concerning to breathability and thermal conductivity as heat transport phenomena, it was observed that breathability of fabrics woven with hybrid yarns such as sheath core and siro-fil in the warp and hi-multi filaments in the weft showed the lowest water vapor resistance, which was explained as due to for air gap in the fibres of the spun yarns to restrict the wet heat transport from perspiration vapor. Thermal conductivities of the fabrics woven with PET/Tencel siro-fil yarns in the weft and hybrid yarns such as sheath core and siro-fil in the warp revealed the highest values, which was observed as due to higher thermal conductivity of PET than PP and more contact point between fibres in the siro-fil and sheath core hybrid yarns.