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Written by Wayne Hayward
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Wednesday, 09 December 2009 10:15 |
 A new test method for measuring the moisture handling properties of performance fabrics for active wear and other apparel has earned approval from the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) after a lengthy review. The SDL Atlas Moisture Management Tester (MMT) plays a key role in the new protocol. Recent studies have revealed that for most active wear purchasers, the comfort of their apparel’s fabric is closely linked to its ability to handle moisture such as perspiration. Researchers have been seeking to develop a means for objectively measuring and documenting comfort levels and moisture handling. The newly adopted AATCC TM 195 test method and MMT from SDL Atlas promise a step forward. The AATCC approval process is important for new technology. On any proposed test method, every objection and negative are carefully considered by committee members. Complete agreement is required before a method can advance to publication. Copies of AATCC TM 195 may be ordered from www.aatcc.org. More than 40 of the desk-top MMT units are currently used by laboratories in Asia, Europe and the Americas, said Robert Lattie, Director, Product Management at SDL Atlas. The unit dynamically measures liquid transfer behaviour in knitted, woven and non-woven textile fabrics using upper and lower concentric moisture sensors. It generates six key indexes and a quantifiable one-way moisture movement index value. This new dynamic unit can demonstrate the ability of a fabric to improve apparel comfort. The MMT is recognized and used for both R&D and quality control by a growing number of sportswear and performance fabric manufacturers serving this critically important segment.
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