Short answer

When designing layered textile systems, account for the air gaps between layers as they can significantly reduce moisture vapor transmission, potentially compromising thermal comfort.

Field: Human Factors
Source: ASME/JSME 2011 8th Thermal Engineering Joint Conference (2011)
Method: Experimental investigation using a gravimetric apparatus.
Evidence: Strong effect

The air gaps between layered textiles can act as significant barriers to moisture vapor diffusion, reducing a garment's ability to manage heat and moisture, which is crucial for wearer comfort. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2011 study published in ASME/JSME 2011 8th Thermal Engineering Joint Conference. Using Experimental investigation using a gravimetric apparatus., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing layered textile systems, account for the air gaps between layers as they can significantly reduce moisture vapor transmission, potentially compromising thermal comfort.

Study

Human FactorsHigh ImpactStrong effect

Interstitial spaces between fabric layers significantly impede moisture vapor transport, impacting thermal comfort.

The air gaps between layered textiles can act as significant barriers to moisture vapor diffusion, reducing a garment's ability to manage heat and moisture, which is crucial for wearer comfort.

ASME/JSME 2011 8th Thermal Engineering Joint Conference · 2011

Key Findings

01Interstitial spaces between fabric layers can introduce significant resistance to water vapor transport.
02The gravimetric measurement method provides a more accurate assessment of mass transport resistance in layered textiles compared to the ASTM F1868 standard, by accounting for interstitial resistance.
03The measured mass transport resistance for a single layer of Defender™ 750 fabric using the gravimetric method was 60.3 ± 14.4 s/m, which aligns with converted values from the ASTM F1868 standard.

Application

Design takeaway

When designing layered textile systems, account for the air gaps between layers as they can significantly reduce moisture vapor transmission, potentially compromising thermal comfort.

How to apply

When specifying materials for multi-layer garments, simulate or test the combined system's moisture vapor transmission rate, rather than relying solely on individual fabric specifications.

Project actions

01When testing layered materials, consider how air gaps might affect your results.
02Explore different methods for measuring moisture vapor transmission to see if they account for interstitial spaces.

Method & Evidence

AimTo quantify the impact of interstitial mass transport resistance on water vapor diffusion through layered textile systems and propose improvements to existing testing methodologies.

MethodExperimental investigation using a gravimetric apparatus.

ProcedureThe study developed and implemented a gravimetric experimental apparatus to measure water vapor transport through single and multiple layers of Southern Mills Defender™ 750 fabric. This method allowed for the direct measurement of mass transport resistance, including the resistance from interstitial spaces between layers, and compared these findings to the standard ASTM F1868 method.

ContextTextile science and apparel design, specifically focusing on thermal and moisture management properties of fabrics.

Variables

IVNumber of fabric layers and the presence of interstitial spaces.

DVWater vapor transport rate (or mass transport resistance).

CVFabric type (Southern Mills Defender™ 750), temperature, humidity, air pressure, apparatus configuration.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Introduced a more accurate gravimetric method for measuring mass transport resistance.
+Provided quantitative data on the impact of interstitial resistance.

Limitations

It can be difficult to accurately measure the 'air gap' resistance in a simple experiment, and controlling all variables might be challenging.

Reliability & validity

The study's use of a gravimetric method and comparison to a standard test method (ASTM F1868) enhances its validity. Reliability would depend on the precision of the gravimetric apparatus and the consistency of the fabric samples.

Think critically

How might the 'stickiness' or 'loft' of different fabrics influence the size and impact of interstitial spaces?

Design Principles

"The overall mass transport resistance of a layered system is not simply the sum of individual layer resistances; interstitial resistances must also be considered."

Understanding how layered materials interact is vital for designing effective performance apparel, protective clothing, and even building insulation. Ignoring interstitial resistance can lead to overestimation of breathability and underestimation of heat buildup, negatively affecting user experience and safety.

What This Means for Your Design

When you put layers of fabric together, the air between them can stop sweat from getting out, making you feel hotter and stickier. This study shows how important it is to measure this effect.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the limitations of simple additive models for material properties in layered systems.
2.Use the findings to justify the need for more complex testing methods if your design involves multiple fabric layers.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that the interstitial spaces between layered textile materials can introduce significant resistance to moisture vapor transport, impacting overall breathability and thermal comfort (Sharma et al., 2011). This phenomenon suggests that simply summing the resistances of individual layers may not accurately predict the performance of a composite textile system, necessitating consideration of these inter-layer effects in design and testing.

Source

ASME/JSME 2011 8th Thermal Engineering Joint Conference

Impact of Interstitial Mass Transport Resistance on Water Vapor Diffusion Through Southern Mills Defender™ 750 Fabric Layers

journal · 2011

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about interstitial spaces between fabric layers significantly impede moisture vapor transport, impacting thermal comfort?: When designing layered textile systems, account for the air gaps between layers as they can significantly reduce moisture vapor transmission, potentially compromising thermal comfort. Evidence: ASME/JSME 2011 8th Thermal Engineering Joint Conference (2011).
Why does "Interstitial spaces between fabric layers significantly impede moisture vapor transport, impacting thermal comfort." matter for design?: Understanding how layered materials interact is vital for designing effective performance apparel, protective clothing, and even building insulation. Ignoring interstitial resistance can lead to overestimation of breathability and underestimation of heat buildup, negatively affecting user experience and safety.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing layered textile systems, account for the air gaps between layers as they can significantly reduce moisture vapor transmission, potentially compromising thermal comfort.
What were the main findings?: Interstitial spaces between fabric layers can introduce significant resistance to water vapor transport.. The gravimetric measurement method provides a more accurate assessment of mass transport resistance in layered textiles compared to the ASTM F1868 standard, by accounting for interstitial resistance.. The measured mass transport resistance for a single layer of Defender™ 750 fabric using the gravimetric method was 60.3 ± 14.4 s/m, which aligns with converted values from the ASTM F1868 standard.
What research method was used?: Experimental investigation using a gravimetric apparatus..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2011 journal from ASME/JSME 2011 8th Thermal Engineering Joint Conference.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When specifying materials for multi-layer garments, simulate or test the combined system's moisture vapor transmission rate, rather than relying solely on individual fabric specifications.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on a specific fabric type (Southern Mills Defender™ 750) and a specific experimental apparatus, which may limit generalizability to all textile combinations and testing environments.