Textile Talk

Insulating Textiles are designed improve thermal comfort by managing heat and moisture exchange. Depending on the temperature of the surrounding objects and air, the human body can either gain or lose heat by radiation, conduction, or convection processes of heat transfer.

Thermoregulation is how the human body takes advantage of heat transfer processes to maintain a tight core body temperature in variable climates.

Microclimate refers to the climate conditions that exist between each layer in a layering system, typically consisting of a moisture management base layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a protective waterproof breathable shell.

Evaporation of perspiration happens when the surrounding environment or microclimate temperature is higher than that of the skin. The change from liquid to vapor results in a cooling effect that helps to maintain a comfortable body temperature.

Heat Transfer occurs due to a difference in temperature, in which heat passively transfers from a higher temperature to a lower temperature. There are three methods of heat transfer:

1. Conduction is the transfer of heat through a material. With insulation, the goal is to reduce the effects of conduction by using materials with low thermal conductivity to construct barriers.

2. Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of a fluid or gas. To manage the effects of convection, it is important to design a garment with appropriate fit and air permeability.

3. Radiation is the transfer of heat in the form of waves through space, such as the warmth you feel from the sun. To reduce the loss of radiant body heat, infrared reflective coatings can be used to reflect heat back to the body.

Thermal Conductivity is the ability of a material to transport heat. The thermal conductivity of water is 25x greater than air – when it comes to staying warm and comfortable, being dry matters

Absorb: Ability of a material to take in water

Adsorb: Ability of a material to hold water on its surface

Hydrophilic: Adsorbs and absorbs water and moisture

Hydrophobic: Does not take up water or moisture. Polyester is inherently hydrophobic

Air Permeability is the ability to allow air molecules to pass through a textile. It is a characterization of wind resistance that is measured in terms of cubic feet per minute (CFM). A high CFM means increased air flow, while a low CFM reduces air flow and protects against wind.

Breathability is characterized by Moisture Vapor Transport Rate (MVTR), which is a measure of a material's ability to allow water vapor to pass through. A high MVTR helps to keep the microclimate dry by allowing perspiration to escape from the garment.

Compression Resistance refers to a material's ability to withstand compression. Compression Recovery refers to a material's ability to rebound from compression.

Durability refers to a material’s resistance to structural instability and fiber migration during wash and wear.

Denier is a unit of measurement used to express the linear density of individual fibers or filaments in textiles and fabrics. A higher denier count indicates a thicker, heavier fiber, while a lower denier count indicates a finer, more lightweight fiber. It is measured in terms of mass in grams per 9,000 meters. Fibers with a denier less than 1 are characterized as microfibers.

Down is a natural insulating material found underneath the feathers of ducks and geese. It consists of clusters of soft and fluffy filament structures called plumules. Each down product is a blend of down clusters and feathers. These products are characterized by their fill power and down-to-feather ratio.

Fill Power is a measure of the volume occupied by a set amount of material (30 grams). Historically, it has been used to distinguish the relative quality of down compared to other down products. Generally, a higher fill power indicates larger, loftier clusters that are more efficient at trapping air. Higher fill power is often associated with thermal performance because increased air entrapment leads to better insulating value.

When it comes to synthetic insulation fills, this measurement of volume does not carry the same association with thermal performance. In synthetics, there is not a direct correlation between thermal performance and fill power, due to the structural variances from product to product. Fill power is simply a measure of a synthetic fill’s loft. To make an accurate comparison between the thermal performance of a down product and a synthetic product, it is necessary to conduct thermal resistance testing.

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