Abstract
This paper presents a new test method to measure wet fabric clinging strain energy as well as clinging strength, both of which can be cited as factors in the evaluation of comfort. Knitted fabrics composed of cotton/polyester blend yarns in various structures were used as specimens for our test. The measured clinging strength and strain energy were rationalized in terms of the fiber wetting tension, fabric absorbent capacity, and fabric drape coefficient; the higher the fiber wetting tension and absorbent capacity, the higher the fabric clinging strength was. In addition, the higher the fabric clinging strength and the lower the fabric coefficient, i.e. the higher fabric flexibility, the higher the fabric clinging strain energy was. Sweat-soaked fabrics should not constrain the movement of the human body, and should be made to have low fabric clinging strength and energy. As such, the test method in the study can provide useful information in designing comfortable fabrics for sport and summer leisure applications.