The sportswear fabric should be quick-drying and have fast-wicking properties to provide comfort and avoid skin infections. To ensure this property, we must perform a test called the AATCC 200 dry rate of textile fabrics. In this testing method, a vertical airflow method is used to dry the fabric.
This test determines the moisture evaporation rate in textiles according to their absorbent capacity. A fabric’s moisture-wicking and drying efficiency is measured by dropping a known amount of water on the fabric surface.
After that, a vertical airflow is passed through the specimen to dry it in controlled environmental conditions, and then the drying rate of the specimen is measured through the instrument.
AATCC 200 standard is not a suitable test for socks and hosiery items. It is applied for general clothing and woven fabrics.
What is the Textile Drying Rate?
The textile drying rate means how quickly a fabric dries. For example, a tennis player who is playing actively will experience discomfort if his dress does not dry rapidly and holds the wetness and sweat.
So, we need fabrics that have a high drying and wicking rate. People think that cotton is a quick-dry cloth, but this is a misconception. While cotton is a good absorbent, it does not have good wicking properties.
What is Textile Drying Rate?
Due to its good absorption, cotton absorbs sweat but remains wet, which causes itching. So, for sportswear or excessive outdoor activities, we need quick-drying and wicking fabric, like polyester, which does not absorb water and keeps itself dry.
Let’s see the general terms which are used in textile drying rate tests.
Drying Rate
It is defined as the change in the volume of liquid per unit that evaporates from the fabric surface.
Drying Time
The time the moisture takes to evaporate from the fabric’s surface is called drying time.
Absorbent Capacity
It is the ratio of a saturated moisture fabric over a dry fabric.
Airflow Method
In AATCC 200 there is used vertical air flow method to dry the fabric specimen.
What Type of Textile is Quick Dry?
What Type of Textile is Quick Dry?Natural fibers are water absorbent like cotton, which do not dry themselves quickly. On the other hand, synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, and microfiber do not have water absorption properties, which makes them dry the fiber.
Synthetic fabrics have good wicking properties but are not air-permeable. So, the textile manufacturer uses them to make the fabric quick-drying and air-permeable.
The blending of synthetic fiber with natural yarn is also used to comfort the wearer and improve the drying rate.
How Quick Dry Fabric Works?
How Quick Dry Fabric Works?The quick dry textile utilizes the layer of hydrophobic and hydrophilic fabrics. In this, the inner layer of fabric that touches with body is hydrophobic while the outer layer of the fabric is kept hydrophilic
The inner hydrophobic layer transfers sweat toward the outer layer without absorbing it. In this way, the inner layer keeps dry, and moisture comes to the outer layer, which is hydrophilic. Here, it comes in contact with air and evaporates successfully within 20 minutes.
How to Perform the AATCC 200 Textile Drying Rate Test?
The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) developed the test method for determining the dry rate of textiles using the vertical airflow method AATCC 200.
We will use a drying rate tester to perform this test. The sample size is taken 150 × 150 mm. We will determine the fabric absorbency capacity by dropping a water droplet.
The AATCC 200 testing method is suitable only if the fabric’s water absorption time is equal to or less than 30 seconds. It is not recommended if the water absorption time is more than 30 seconds.
After setting the testing parameters, the specimen is placed on the tester clamp with the testing face upward. The specimen should be smooth and without wrinkles. Then, start the test. The tester automatically drops a water droplet on the fabric surface.
AATCC 200 Textile Drying Rate TestAfter that, vertical airflow is passed through the specimen to dry the fabric. The instrument calculates the drying rate and shows the results in graph form.
Textile Drying Rate Test ResultsWhat is the difference between AATCC 200 & 201
The AATCC 200 and AATCC 201 both measure the drying rate of textile fabrics, but they differ in the drying medium used. AATCC 200 uses a vertical airflow method to dry the specimen, while AATCC 201 uses a heated plate method and horizontal airflow to dry the fabric.
AATCC 200 does not use a hot plate, while AATCC 201 uses a hot plate set at 37 C. Both standards measure the drying rate in mL/hr.
Conclusion
The AATCC 200 standard determines the moisture evaporation rate in textiles according to their absorbent capacity. A fabric’s moisture-wicking and drying efficiency is measured by dropping a known amount of water on its surface.
A vertical air flow is passed through the specimen to dry it in controlled environmental conditions, and the drying rate of the specimen is measured through the instrument.
FAQs
Why quick-dry fabrics are used?
The sportswear fabric should quickly dry and have fast-wicking properties to give comfort and avoid skin infections.
What is the principle of the AATCC 200 standard?
This testing method uses a vertical airflow method to dry the fabric.
What is the limitation of the drying rate test AATCC 200?
AATCC 200 standard is not a suitable test for socks and hosiery items. It is applied for general clothing and woven fabrics.
What is meant by the drying rate in textiles?
It is defined as the change in the volume of liquid per unit that evaporates from the fabric surface.
What is the difference between AATCC 200 and AATCC 201?
AATCC 200 uses a vertical airflow method to dry the specimen, while AATCC 201 uses a heated plate method and horizontal airflow to dry the fabric.
Related Resources
AATCC 201 Textile Drying Rate Tester Hot Plate Method DR290F