Psychophysical Measurement of Wet and Clingy Sensation of Fabrics by the Volar Forearm Test

• Published in: Journal of sensory studies Vol. 30; no. 4; pp. 329 - 347
• Main Authors: Tang, K. P. M, Kan, C. W, Fan, J. T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cincinnati Food & Nutrition Press 01.08.2015; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: absolute threshold; arms (limbs); clingy sensation; dermatitis; evaporation rate; fabric; fabrics; health services; humans; mechanoreceptors; microbial growth; new products; Psychophysical; sensation; Stevens' power law; sweat; sweating; Textile industry; thermal properties; water binding capacity; wet sensation
• ISSN: 0887-8250; 1745-459X
• DOI: 10.1111/joss.12161

Wet and clingy sensation caused by fabric is activated by thermoreceptors and mechanoreceptors and is critical to wearers’ thermophysiological and tactile comfort. This study aims at quantifying the absolute threshold for wet and clingy sensation of apparel fabrics using a psychophysical approach and measuring the residual moisture left on skin through a physical approach. A volar forearm test is proposed where water supply and controlled fabric movement are used to simulate sweating and body movement during wear. The results show that the volar forearm test has good within‐judge reliability, between‐judge consistency and high sensitivity. The difference in absolute threshold of wet and clingy sensation of fabrics can be attributed to the difference in wicking rate, evaporation rate, geometry and thermal properties of fabrics. The results further suggest that a clingy sensation is triggered when the residual water accumulated on the skin exceeds 0.013 gram, given that the covering fabric is water absorbent. Besides, the absolute threshold for wet and clingy sensation was found strongly correlated with the instrumentally measured water absorption capacity of the fabric. Furthermore, results obtained by the psychophysical threshold method were compared with the psychological wetness rating scale method, and the former was found to be advantageous in terms of testing sensitivity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: To improve living standards, the textile industry is constantly seeking comfortable apparel fabrics, especially for sportswear, intimate apparel and functional clothing when used under extreme conditions or strenuous activities. The wetness comfort is also important for health‐care products since wetness can promote growth of microorganisms, thereby causing dermatitis. In the proposed forearm test, the sweat rate and the degree of fabric movement is adjustable, which simulates varying levels of activity. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using an absolute threshold to assess moisture sensation of apparel fabrics. It may be beneficial to textile/clothing manufacturers to improve existing products or develop new products for specific end uses. Since our study shows that water absorption capacity of fabric has a strong correlation with wet and clingy sensation, instrumental measurement can be employed as a routine fabric performance analysis to substitute the time‐consuming human subjective assessment.