Mathematical Modelling of the Coolness to Touch of Hygroscopic Fabrics

A mathematical model, developed to describe coupled heat and moisture transport in textile materials, has been used to study coolness to the touch and has shown how fibre hygroscopicity influences fabric-temperature responses. The model has been used to explain some earlier experimental observations and was found to give good prediction of the behaviour of fabrics in other skin-fabric-contact experiments. The model has also been applied to the practical wear case in which regular contact between skin and fabric occurs.