Moisture absorption speed of textiles for personal care use for developing re-usable products

Sports apparel, workwear and textile applications for medical and personal care use, as well as some agricultural applications and textiles for seating require, quick moisture transport of liquids with different viscosity levels. For example, reusable menstrual underwear and pads require quick absorption for comfort and high functionality to provide an attractive alternative to single-use products. Often, a multilayer construction is used to keep the surface dry with quick moisture transfer to a second layer that absorbs the liquid. This paper presents the results of investigations of different fabric structures that influence the absorption and transfer of different fluids from the lining layer (the layer closest to the body) to the absorbent layer. We used deionized water and test liquids with higher viscosity, which were prepared with xanthan gum. Properties such as the density, surface tension and viscosity were measured. The different textile samples were characterized using standardized textile testing methods to determine their mass, thickness and mesh density. Using microscopy and digital image processing, the porosity of the textiles was also investigated. In experimental tests, the absorption rate and dimensions of the wetted surface of six different textile structures (lining layer) in combination with an absorbent layer were assessed. A commercially available single-use pad served as a comparison product. The evaluation was carried out by means of video analysis and digital image processing. The results show that a high through-porosity and mass per unit area result in a high absorption speed and rapid transverse liquid transfer to the absorbent layer, even with viscous liquids. In addition, a small wetted area tends to be connected with large through-pores with uniform distribution. The results provide a basis for improving the comfort and functionality of textiles, especially for personal care products and sportswear.