Socks: Correlation of Wetness Perceptions with Moisture Transport

• Author / Creator

  Furtak, Nicole T

• Wetness perceptions in socks are an aspect of comfort. A bench scale measurement technique -- Algorithmic Image Analysis (AIA) -- to assess the liquid moisture distribution in sock fabrics, and relate them to wetness perceptions, is developed in this thesis. In AIA, the measurement of spread differential is used, which is the measured liquid spread area on the technical face of the fabric minus the measured liquid spread area on the technical back of the fabric. The impact on liquid spread area when dye is added to the liquid was examined, as well as the difference between manual measurement and algorithmic measurement. There were no statistically significant differences between liquid spread differential with dye and without, but using dye allowed for algorithmic measurement, which is more precise and faster to perform than manual measurement. Twelve sock fabrics (with six fibre contents and two knit structures) were studied to determine if liquid spread differential varied between different fabrics. Liquid spread differential was different between the different fabrics tested, with different spread behaviour profiles observed. The effect of stretch (20%) and pressure (0.56 kPa), both independently and combined, on the measured spread differential of synthetic sweat solution with dye on various fabrics (six fibre contents and two knit structures) was measured. Stretching the sock and applying pressure provided a test condition that simulated sock-wearing, and the results of testing under stretch and pressure were different from the results of testing in the relaxed state. Ten sock fabrics (five fibre contents and two knit structures) were compared in a human wear-trial to determine a comfort-based ranking of socks from driest to wettest feeling. The perceived wetness ranking was not statistically significant for all of the socks, but the comparisons were extrapolated to only terry socks, resulting in a statistically significant ranking. The effectiveness of AIA was determined by comparing the results of AIA to wear-trial findings, revealing a statistically significant relationship between feelings of dryness and observed spread differential, with drier ranked socks having a more negative spread differential. AIA is a test method that provides findings which are in agreement with the results from standard test methods (such as the Moisture Management Tester -- MMT -- and Liquid Absorption Capacity -- LAC), but provides more detail on the spreading behaviour. AIA provides higher graphical resolution, information on spread area shape, and does not rely on fitting parameters. AIA is also in agreement with the statistically significant findings from a human wear-trial, indicating that AIA testing may be used to predict human moisture-related comfort, or comfort associated with wetness/dryness.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Textiles
  • Moisture transport
  • Socks
  • Wetness perceptions

• Graduation date

  Spring 2018

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Doctor of Philosophy

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.