Fibers and Polymers 2008, Vol.9, No.

2, 225-231

Effect of Fibre Diameter and Cross-sectional Shape on Moisture

Transmission through Fabrics
Brojeswari Das, A. Das*, V. K. Kothari, R. Fanguiero1, and M. de Araújo1
Department of Textile Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India
1
Department of Textile Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
(Received April 26, 2007; Revised November 12, 2007; Accepted December 24, 2007)

Abstract: The current work incorporates an experimental study on the effect of fiber cross sectional shape and fibre diameter
on moisture transmission properties of the fabric. Water vapour transmission of the fabrics was measured using the PERME-
TEST. In plane liquid flow through the fabric was measured using a gravimetric in-plane wicking tester and vertical move-
ment of liquid along the fibres against gravity was also observed using a vertical wicking tester. With the change in shape
factor and fibre diameter, it is seen that with increase in fibre specific surface area wicking rate through fabric increases,
whereas water vapour permeability of the fabric reduces.
Keywords: Fibre diameter, Fibre cross section, In-plane wicking, Vertical wicking, Water vapour permeability

Introduction Perimeter of the capillary

Moisture flow through textile materials is important in
diverse range of textile applications, including casual wear,
sportswear, protective wear from their comfort point of view,
textile processing and cleaning, composite manufacturing-
liquid transfer through preform and in many other areas.
From the comfort point of view, moisture transmission
through textile material both in liquid and vapour forms are
equally important. Water vapour transmission through the
textile material is governed by Fick’s Law [1] (equation (1))
dC
JAx = –DAB ---------A (1)
dx
Where, JAx is the rate of moisture flux; dCA/dx is the
concentration gradient in x direction; and DAB is the diffusion
coefficient or mass diffusivity of component A (water vapour)
diffusing through component B (porous media). Mass
diffusivity of a particular fluid at a specific atmospheric
condition depends on the nature of the porous media, such as
its porosity and moisture regain.
Liquid moisture flow through textile materials is controlled
by two processes-wetting and wicking. Wetting is the initial
process, involved in fluid spreading; it is controlled by the
surface energies of the involved solid and liquid. In case of
textile material as soon as water wets the fibre, the water enters
the inter fibre capillary channel and is dragged along by the
action of capillary pressure. The magnitude of the capillary
pressure is given by the following Laplace equation [2]
2JLV cos T
P = ---------------------
- (2)
Rc
It is the simplified form of the following relation (equation (3))
P = JLV cos T ------------------------------------------------------------- (3)
Area of the capillary
Perimeter of the capillary
Say, ------------------------------------------------------------- ratio as \
Area of the capillary
Where as, JLV cosT = JSV – JSL (4)
This equation is known as Young-Dupre’s equation [3].
Where P is the pressure developed in the capillary channel,
Rc is the radius of the capillary formed in the fibrous
structure. J represents the surface tension at the interface
between the various combinations of fibre (S), liquid (L) and
air (V), and T is the contact angle between the liquid drop
and fibre surface. JLV cosT is the resultant surface tension
between fibre and liquid interface.
It is an experimental fact that the surface tension is a
function of state i.e. of chemical composition, pressure and
temperature [4,5]. For a single liquid at constant pressure
and temperature, the surface tension at liquid vapour interface
(JLV) is constant regardless of whether or not the surface area
is being changed. As the fibre cross sectional shape and fibre
type change cosine of the contact angle get changed which
alters the P value (equation (3)). Size and shape of the
capillary is expected to be varied with the change in fibre
cross section; as the specific surface area of the fibre get
changed with fibre diameter and cross sectional shape. Change
in capillary shape and size will alter the value influencing
capillary pressure.
The change in the area of the capillary is expected to
change the water vapour transmission through the fabric as
well. The present work aims at experimentally evaluating
the effect of fibre diameter and cross sectional shape on the
liquid and vapour transmission properties of fabrics.

*Corresponding author: apurba@textile.iitd.ernet.in

225
226 Fibers and Polymers 2008, Vol.9, No.2 Brojeswari Das et al.

Materials and Methods
Materials
In order to study the effect of cross-sectional shape, polyester
filaments with three different types of cross sectional shape,
i.e., circular, triangular and trilobal have been used. Fibers
were melt-spun with the same molecular weight polyester
(PET). To observe the cross-sectional shape, resin impregnated
filaments were cut using microtome technique and the
photographs were taken using optical microscope (Leica) at
magnification 400. The cross-sectional view of the filaments
has been given in Figures 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c). Different
cross-sectional all the filament yarns have nearly same
denier. During preparation of the fabric samples same cotton
warp beam has been used, these different cross-sectional
filament yarns have been inserted only in the weft. Weft
thread density has also been kept nearly equal for all the
three different cross sectional filament yarns. 2/1 twill weave
design have been used for all fabrics. In order to study the
influence of fibre diameter on moisture transmission, micro
denier polyester multifilament yarn has been used in the
weft and the picks/in has been controlled to obtain almost
same fabric cover as of the fabric with normal circular
multifilament yarn. The cross section of microdenier filament is
shown in Figure 1(d). Details of the fabrics have been given
in Table 1. The microdenier polyester multifilament fabric
and normal circular polyester multifilament fabrics are
comparable, as their fabric cover is almost same.
Different cross-sectional shapes numerically have been
represented by their shape factor. Shape factor of any cross-
sectional shape is determined as follows:
Perimeter of that particular cross-sectional shape
Shape factor = ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perimeter of circle having the same
cross-sectional area of that particular shape
(5)
Measurement Methods
Measurement methods have been briefly explained below.
Fabric Particulars
The fabric samples were analysed after processing. The
fabric details measured were: warp and weft sett, warp and
weft count, fabric weight per unit area and fabric thickness.
Warp and weft densities were measured according to the
ASTM D3775-03 standard, using the counting glass. Yarn
linear density and fabric weight per unit area were determined
according to ASTM D1059 standard using electronic weighing
balance. The thickness of the fabrics was measured according
to ASTM D1777-96 standard with the SDL digital thickness
gauge at a pressure of 100 Pa. Standard atmospheric conditions
have been maintained for all experiments. The fabric parameters
have also been mentioned in Table 1.

Air Permeability
Air permeability of the fabric has been measured using
TEXTEST FX 3300 air permeability tester at a pressure of
100Pa; ASTM D737 has been followed.

Vertical Wicking Test

Figure 1. Cross section of different polyester fibres.
The effect of fibre parameters on the vertical wicking of
the fabrics have been determined by measuring the wicking
height against gravity along the weft direction of the fabric,
since the polyester multifilament yarns have been incorporated
only in weft direction. The test has been conducted using a
vertical wicking tester according to DIN 53924 method [6].
The schematic diagram of the instrument is shown in Figure
2(a). A strip of fabric (200 mm×25 mm) was suspended
vertically with its lower end (30 mm) immersed in a reservoir
of distilled water, to which 1 % reactive dye (Prussian blue)

Table 1. Details of different cross sectional polyester fabrics and microdenier fabric
Sample Cross- Fibre fineness Warp count Weft count Ends Picks Calculated Fabric mass Fabric
code section shape (dtex) (Tex) (Tex) /dm /dm fabric cover (g/m2) thickness (mm)
Trilobal Trilobal 5.24 36.92 16.84 358 174 0.83 184.03 1.01
Triangular Triangular 5.24 36.92 16.84 365 181 0.85 188.47 1.04
Circular Circular 5.24 36.92 17.11 360 178 0.84 193.83 1.05
Microdenier Circular 0.93 36.92 18.62 370 186 0.86 207.33 1.05
Moisture Transmission through Fabrics Fibers and Polymers 2008, Vol.9, No.2 227

Figure 2. Wicking measurement apparatus.

was added for tracking the movement of water and at a

regular interval, the height reached by water in the fabric
was measured by the clamped scale.

In-plane Wicking Test

In-plane wicking behaviour of the fabrics has been
determined by measuring the initial wicking rate (g/min)
using a gravimetric in-plane wicking tester developed at
IITD, India. The schematic view of the instrument is shown
in Figure 2(b). A fabric sample (160 mm×160 mm) is placed
on a horizontal base plate which is connected to a liquid
reservoir by means of a siphon tube. The fabric sample is
covered by a cover plate so as to ensure intimate contact
between the base plate and the fabric. The spatial relationship
between the bottom surface of the test specimen in contact
with the liquid in the siphon tube and the liquid level in the
reservoir is adjustable. Water level in the reservoir and fabric
level is kept same. The liquid reservoir is placed on a
suitable electronic balance which is interfaced with a PC.
The balance indicates the weight of water that left the
reservoir and the difference between the two consecutive
readings shows the weight of water taken by the fabric with
time. Figure 3. Schematic diagram of PERMETEST.

Water Vapour Permeability
The water vapour permeability of the samples has been
measured using the PERMETEST according to BS7209
(1990) standard. The schematic diagram of the instrument
has been given in Figure 3. The instrument works on the
principle of heat flux sensing. The temperature of the measuring
head is maintained at room temperature for isothermal
conditions. When water flows into the measuring head, some
amount of heat is lost. This instrument measures the heat
loss from the measuring head due to the evaporation of
water in bare condition and with being covered by the fabric.
The relative water vapour permeability of the fabric sample
is calculated by the ratio of heat loss from the measuring
head with fabric (u1) and without fabric (u0) as given in the
following equation. The transfer of water vapour from the
measuring head to the atmosphere reaches steady state very
quickly (2-3 min) due to the isothermal conditions.
Relative water vapour permeability (%)
Heat lost when the fabric is placed
on the measuring head u1
= ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- u 100 (6)
Heat lost from the bare measuring head u0
Results and Discussion
Vertical Wicking
Height reached by water, with time in the weft direction of
the fabrics has been given in Table 2. Using those data
228 Fibers and Polymers 2008, Vol.9, No.2 Brojeswari Das et al.

Table 2. Vertical wicking of different cross sectional and microdenier multifilament fabrics
Vertical wicking height (cm) Rate of vertical wicking (cm/min)
Time (min)
Trilobal Triangular Circular Microdenier Trilobal Triangular Circular Mirodenier
0 0 0 0 0    
1 4.30 3.83 3.18 3.99 3.39 3.16 2.84 3.63
2 5.50 4.88 4.48 5.24 2.41 2.26 2.01 3.48
3 6.29 5.67 5.24 6.24 1.99 1.88 1.65 3.39
4 6.97 6.17 5.8 7.04 1.74 1.66 1.44 3.32
5 7.47 6.60 6.24 7.49 1.58 1.51 1.30 3.27
6 7.97 7.01 6.8 8.27 1.47 1.41 1.21 3.22
7 8.41 7.42 7.04 8.76 1.39 1.34 1.14 3.19
8 8.84 7.75 7.42 9.03 1.33 1.28 1.09 3.15
9 9.09 7.98 7.66 9.59 1.29 1.24 1.06 3.12
10 9.53 8.32 7.92 10.04 1.26 1.21 1.04 3.10

Figure 4. Effect of fibre cross section on vertical wicking of the Figure 5. Effect of fibre shape factor on vertical wicking height in
fabrics. the fabric.

polynomial curves have been fitted for all the fabrics (with r2
values of 0.99, 0.9879, 0.9979 and 0.9935 respectively for
trilobal, triangular, circular and microdenier multifilament
fabrics). The vertical wicking rate (rate of change in wicking
height with time) has been calculated from the fitted curves,
which has also been shown in Table 2.
The effect of fibre cross section on vertical wicking of the
fabric is shown in Figure 4. Analysing the results it is found
that height reached by water along fabric as well as the rate
of wicking increases with the increase in shape factor of the
fibre. According to equation (5), the calculated shape factor
of circular shape fibre is 1, triangular is 1.2864 and trilobal is
1.362. As the shape factor of the fibre increases, specific Figure 6. Effect of fibre denier on vertical wicking of the fabrics.
surface area of the fibre increases. Higher specific surface
area signifies, fibre having same cross-sectional area will wicking has been obtained in case of fabric with trilobal
have higher perimeter. So in that case capillaries formed by cross sectional filaments, followed by triangular and
these fibres, will provide higher perimeter for the liquid to followed by circular cross sectional filament. The effect of
wet. This will increase the \ value, resulting higher capilary fibre shape factor on the vertical wicking of the fabric has
pressure. From equation (3) it is identified that capillary area been plotted in Figure 5.
being same as the perimeter increases, capillary pressure Effect of fibre denier on vertical wicking has been plotted
will be increased, which should raise the capillary flow. in Figure 6. From the results it is observed in case of fabric
From the experimental results it is also observed highest with microdenier multifilament yarn there is a high improve-
Moisture Transmission through Fabrics Fibers and Polymers 2008, Vol.9, No.2 229

Table 3. In-plane wicking of different cross sectional and microdenier multifilament fabrics
Time Water up-take in in-plane wicking (g) Rate of water up-take in in-plane wicking (g/min)
(min) Trilobal Triangular Circular Microdenier Trilobal Triangular Circular Mirodenier
0 0 0 0 0 9.83 10.78 9.65 8.81
0.5 4.45 5.18 4.63 3.39 9.37 8.91 7.97 8.43
1 8.92 8.68 7.56 7.63 8.91 8.14 7.27 8.04
1.5 12.69 11.68 10.24 11.48 8.45 7.55 6.74 7.66
2 16.00 14.35 12.66 14.36 7.99 7.05 6.29 7.28
2.5 19.23 16.73 14.68 17.12 7.53 6.61 5.89 6.90
3 21.13 18.78 16.84 19.20 7.07 6.21 5.53 6.52
3.5 22.78 20.70 18.64 21.06 6.61 5.84 5.21 6.13
4 24.37 22.88 20.25 22.68 6.14 5.50 4.90 5.75
4.5 25.34 23.03 20.62 23.62 5.68 5.18 4.61 5.37
5 26.40 25.06 21.95 24.87 5.22 4.88 4.34 4.99

ment in wicking rate. The calculated diameter of the normal also predicts the same behaviour in capillary flow with
circular and microdenier polyester filament is 22.5 mm and change in the filament perimeter at a constant void area.
9.5 mm respectively. Due to lower diameter the number of Their theoretical analysis reveals that maximum wicking
filaments per yarn will be higher, as denier of both the yarn height increases as the total perimeter available for the liquid
is nearly same; which will increase the number of capillaries to wet, increases at a constant void area; in a simplier way as
in the yarn. In addition, due to low linear density of the the ratio of capillary perimeter to area increases. In contrast
fibres, specific area of the fibre will be higher, reducing the the initial velocity of penetration increases as the ratio of
diameter of the developed capillaries. capillary perimeter to area decreases. The relation between
the fibre shape factor and water uptake in case of in-plane
In-plane Wicking
Amount of water (g) taken by the fabrics with time in case
of in-plane wicking has been given in Table 3. Using those
data polynomial curves have been fitted for all the fabrics
(with r2 values of 0.9993, 0.9982, 0.9986 and 0.9991
respectively for trilobal, triangular, circular and microdenier
multifilament fabrics). In-plane wicking rate (rate of water
uptake) has been calculated from the fitted curves, which has
also been given in Table 3.
The effect of fibre cross section on in-plane wicking has
been shown in Figure 7. From the results it has been seen
that though in case of in-plane wicking the initial wicking
rate is found higher in case of triangular than trilobal, but
with time it reduces comparative to trilobal. The model
Figure 8. Effect of fibre shape factor on in-plane wicking of the
developed by Rajagopalan and Aneja [7] on capillary flow,
fabric.

Figure 7. Effect of fibre cross section on in-plane wicking of the

fabrics. Figure 9. Effect of fibre denier on in-plane wicking of the fabrics.
230 Fibers and Polymers 2008, Vol.9, No.2 Brojeswari Das et al.

wicking, has been given in Figure 8. In this case also it is

evidently seen that with the increase in fibre shape factor
water uptake by the fabric increases linearly.
Effect of fibre denier on in-plane wicking has been plotted
in Figure 9. For same fineness of yarn as the denier of fibre
decreases, number of fibres in the yarn cross section increases.
It increases the specific area of the fibre, as well as number
of capillaries with lower diameter. As a result a very high
wicking is obtained in case of the fabric with microdenier
multifilament yarn, comparative to that of with normal circular
multifilament.
Figure 12. Effect of fibre shape factor on water vapour
Water Vapour Permeability permeability of the fabrics.
The results obtained from PERMETEST are shown in
Figure 10. The results indicate that in case of fabric with
circular fibre has the highest water vapour permeability and
it reduced with the increase in fibre cross section shape
factor. A good correlation has also been found between air
permeability and relative water vapour% of the fabrics as
shown given in Figure 11. Change in water vapour permeability
and air permeability of the fabrics with the fibre shape factor
have been plotted in Figure 12 and Figure 13. As fibre shape
factor increases specific surface area of the fibre also
increase accordingly. In consequence of the higher specific

Figure 13. Effect of fibre shape factor on air permeability of the

fabrics.

surface area, space between the fibres in the fabric decreases

Figure 10. Rel. water vapour permeability of different polyester
fabrics.
and offers actually higher packing than the calculated one.
Furthermore, the drag resistance to air [8] and the water
vapour flow through the fibre surface increases, which results in
low air and water vapour permeability for these fabrics.
Air permeability and water vapour permeability are seen
to be decreased with the decrease in fibre diameter. This
result can also be explained by higher specific area of the
fibres. In case of finer fibre as the specific area of the fibre is
higher, total air space available in the fabric will be lower,
lowering the air and water vapour permeability of the fabric.

Conclusion

A considerable change has been obtained in fabric wicking

Figure 11. Relation between air permeability and water vapour
permeability of different fibre cross sectional and microdenier
multifilament fabrics.
behaviour with the change in cross-sectional shape of the
fibres, with same linear densities. With the increase in fibre
shape factor wicking property of the fabric gets better, while
air as well as water vapour permeability reduce to a certain
extent. Fibre diameter has also been found to play an
important role in moisture transmission through fabrics. By
comparing micro-denier filament fabrics with standard denier
fabrics, it may be concluded that a reduction in fibre diameter
increases the wicking properties through the fabric, but air
Moisture Transmission through Fabrics
permeability and water vapour permeability are reduced.
The understanding which has been obtained from this study
will be helpful in designing functional work wear or sports
wear by balancing between the high liquid as well as vapour
transmission properties as per the specific requirement by
suitably engineering the fibre.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the European Commission for
awarding research funds under the EU Asia-link program
and the University of Minho (Portugal) and the Indian
Institute of Technology, Delhi (India) for providing research
facilities.
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