Purpose of Test
This test evaluates the water absorbency of fabrics, yarns, and garments.
This test is used for textiles of any fiber content or construction, which include fabrics like:
- Woven
- Knit
- Nonwoven
Terminology Defined
Water Absorbency – The measurement of how much water is absorbed by the textile when wetted with water.
Wetting – The time needed for the drop of water to lose its light reflection and change to a dull, wet spot due to the absorbency of a textile.
Test Method
Materials Used for Test
- Test specimen
- Water
- Beaker
- Burette
- Embroidery Hoop
- Stopwatch
Testing Procedure
A drop of water is dispensed into the tait surface of the test specimen. The wetting time when the water drop loses light reflection and turns into a dull wet area is recorded.
Test Procedure (Summary)
- Part 1: Preparation of test specimen: The test specimen is placed in the embroidery hoop, ensuring there are no creases.
- Part 2: Dropping of water: A burette dispenses a drop of water into the test specimen at a certain distance from the burette.
- Part 3: Recording of time: The wetting is recorded with a stopwatch until the textile absorbs the water completely.