Comparison of different test methods for the measurement of fabric or garment moisture transfer properties

Several test methods exist for determining the water vapour permeability or resistance of textile fabrics or garments. The differences and interrelationships between these methods are not always clear, which presents a problem in comparing results from different test methods. This study is aimed at investigating the relationships between the test results from four typical test methods, including the moisture transmission test (Model CS-141), ASTM E96 cup method, sweating guarded hot plate method (ISO11092) and the sweating fabric manikin (Walter). For the range of air permeable knitted fabrics tested, it was found that good interrelationships exist between the results from the four types of test methods, although some discrepancies exist between different tests due to differences in testing conditions. Test results from different moisture transfer test methods can therefore be convertible with due consideration.