10 Questions You Should to Know about black polyester cloth

Nothing can equal the determination, strength, and stamina of athletes and outdoorsmen or women. Fabric technology can help athletes, travelers, and nature lovers to achieve their performance goals by overcoming natural challenges such as rising humidity levels, temperature changes, and sweat production.  

Quick-dry fabrics – also called sweat-wicking of moisture-management fabrics – do just so. They help people feel fresh in any condition, reduce the visibility of sweat patches, and better regulate body temperature. As more people recognize the great potential of these fabrics, manufacturers and scientists have brought to life new types and started to test new applications. But no two quick-dry fabrics are the same! Here is all you need to know about selecting the right sweat-wicking fabric for your products.

What Is Quick Dry Fabric?

Quick-dry fabrics are fabrics designed to absorb the sweat away from your body, pushing it towards the outer edge of the garment or footwear and facilitating natural evaporation. Quick-dry fabrics can be made of various materials, including natural and manmade fibers, among which the most common are merino wool, nylon, and polyester. 

Natural fibers are those found in nature, which can be directly made into fabrics without chemical processing, while man-made fibers can be processed from natural raw materials or synthesized through chemical methods. Some man-made fibers take the multiple advantages of natural fibers to strengthen and integrate, combining the traits that natural fibers don’t obtain, such as antibacterial properties.

Today, the number of quick-dry fabrics and their application is skyrocketing, but these synthetic fabrics, such as nylon and polyester, are still a relatively new invention. In fact, in 1986, an American company called Invista pioneered the developing “Coolmax ”, which is a kind of polyester fabric and is breathable and sweat-wicking. It also made great progress in other synthetic fabrics like spandex and nylon. However, the patent for these revolutionary sweat-wicking fabrics was only filed in 1998 by Robert Kasdan and Stanley Kornblum. Until then, only minimally-wicking and natural fabrics were used, including cotton and wool. 

However, after the initial introduction of moisture management fabrics, this technology continued to be developed. Today, moisture-wicking fabrics are those that can absorb the moisture and promote speedy evaporation, thus preventing the garment from becoming damp. 

Since the production of sweat increases as the heart rate rises during exercise or strenuous activities, sweat-wicking fabrics can avoid the feeling of dampness. In addition, by keeping the body surface exposed to moisture below 50–65%, these fabrics can guarantee much higher comfort levels and better body temperature control. 

What Are the Benefits of Quick Dry Fabric?

Quick-drying fabrics have become an important feature to look for in a garment – and an important unique selling point for manufacturers. These fabrics come with several advantages, including:

• Helping people hide sweat marks and patched

• Staying dry in extreme weather or during strenuous physical activity

• Regulating body temperature in situations where temperature drops and spikes are common (thermoregulation properties)

• Protecting the body from high humidity levels

• Reducing skin irritation and

  heat rashes

• Reducing odors

Quick-dry fabrics usually sit on top of the skin. Thanks to this contact, they are able to act as a sponge for sweat and moisture, pulling it towards the garment’s outer layer and away from the skin. In addition, when the contact surfaces between moisture and air increase, sweat-wicking fabrics can speed up the natural process of evaporation. 

In the case of athletes and outdoors people, sweat-wicking fabrics can also enhance performance and protect muscles from extreme heat and exertion. 

What Fabric Dries the Fastest

As we have seen, several fabrics on the market can be considered quick-drying. However, these are usually natural fibers such as cotton and wool, and they might not be up to athletes’ standards. In fact, quick-drying synthetic fabrics should be able to go from wet to damp within minutes (usually under 30) – and dry entirely within two hours. 

While cotton is the fastest natural quick-dry fabric to dry, polyester is considered the overall fastest fiber. In less than two hours, polyester garments can be completely dry while also remaining antimicrobial and antibacterial. Modern manufacturers also ensure that these properties are maintained at least for 20 washes. 

It is also essential to keep in mind that quick-dry fabric drying time often depends on how the fabric is used, how wet it is, and where it is located. So, while trying time is an essential factor to consider, it is not the only one you need to select the best quick-dry fabric for your project. 

Some of the most popular and versatile quick-dry fabrics include:

Natural fibers:

• Cotton

• Wool

• Merino wool

• Bamboo

• Linen

Manmade fibers:

• Nylon

• Polyester

• Rayon

• Polypropylene

• Micromodal 

Applications for Quick Dry Fabric

With an increasing variety of garment types and fabric properties on the market, the number of applications for quick dry fibers is rising. Some of the most common uses for these fabrics include:

• Travel apparel

  – travelers and backpackers appreciate quick-dry fabrics’ versatility, which allows them to explore their destination all day long without dealing with wet clothes or sweat patches.

• Sportswear garments

  – during training, sweat production can be

  10-20% higher

  than normal and can amount to 3-4 liters of moisture per hour. Athletes undergo several hours of training and need to remain dry and comfortable for hours. 

• Towels and undergarments

  – quick-dry fabrics remain clean and hygienic over time. For towels and undergarments, these properties mean that these fabrics can protect the skin and prevent rashes, irritation, or infections from sweat.

Problems With Normal Quick Dry Fabric

Quick-dry fabrics have never been so popular – and yet they are not so perfect just yet! After all, this technology has only been in development for just over 20 years, and there is still plenty of space for further improvements. Here is a rundown of the downsides of the most common quick-dry fabrics. 

Not Breathable

Quick-dry natural fibers such as cotton and linen can dry in just over two hours, mostly thanks to their great airflow levels. As the fresh air filters through the fabric, it dries both the garment and the skin underneath. However, faster-drying synthetic fibers work on a different principle, and they are not blessed with such a great airflow. So, while they can still keep you dry and comfortable, they can cause skin irritation. 

Negative Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of the fashion industry is becoming increasingly substantial, and many consumers have started to realize the consequences of their choices. In turn, manufacturers have started looking into what materials cause the least impactful footprint. For example, while cotton is the most damaging natural fiber, polyester and nylon account for over 60% of the pollution caused by synthetic fibers.

Limited Aesthetic Potential  

Nylon and polyester might be highly efficient fabrics, but they are not among the most visually appealing ones. While new styles are being developed, it is still a challenge for many consumers to find quick-drying clothes to wear daily. 

How ARIAPRENE® Deal With Normal Quick Dry Fabric Problem

ARIAPRENE® is a game-changer in the field of quick-dry fabrics. This material is not only fully customizable and highly efficient, but it is also appealing and versatile, meaning that applications are endless! Thanks to this unparalleled versatility and comfort, ARIAPRENE® has been adopted by several leading names in the active-wear industry, including Tortuga, Nike, and New Balance. Aside from shoes and apparel, ARIAPRENE® is also appreciated in other manufacturing sectors, including equipment, electronics, and wearable technology. Here is what makes it different from other sweat-wicking fabrics.   

Get in touch today

What Is ARIAPRENE®?

ARIAPRENE® is created differently from any other quick-dry material. It is formed by chemical pellets, molded into a paste thanks to a gentle heat and foaming agents. Once the paste is created, it obtains a clay-like consistency and then is rolled into sheets. After that, the sheets are baked in industrial ovens and will expand larger.

According to the end use, manufacturers can also control the finished product’s elasticity, texture, and appearance by modifying the chemical planets in the mix. 

How Is ARIAPRENE® Different?

ARIAPRENE® is a new and improved version of the quick-dry fabrics that have populated the market for two decades, its foam-core made of TPE (Thermal Plastic Elastin) is degradable and recyclable. This fabric is unique and preferred for some exclusive properties, including:

• It is lightweight

  – ARIAPRENE® is an ultra-lightweight fabric that can be used for a great range of applications, from footwear to apparel or accessories. 

• It is highly flexible

  – thanks to the foam-core technology, ARIAPRENE® is highly flexible, elastic and like a second skin. This makes it ideal for athletes and sportspeople who should not be stopped by the quality of their outfits. 

• It supports the body’s natural movement

  – by stretching and compressing, ARIAPRENE® encourages the body’s natural movement and does not restrict the range of motion athletes need. 

• It is quick-drying

  – the closed-cell synthetic foam is designed to prevent moisture log and achieves one of the fastest-drying levels out of the most common quick-dry fabrics. 

• It is hypoallergenic

  – ARIAPRENE® is based on a non-toxic foam core technology, which makes it suitable for long-term wear. 

• It is highly breathable

  –

  Even

  ARIAPRENE®

  is closed-cell construction, additional perforations can create more airflow to make it highly breathable.

  This keeps the skin fresh, dry, and at the perfect temperature

  . 

Know more about the advantages why should choose closed cell foam & Closed Cell Foam Pads

Lastly, ARIAPRENE® is designed to represent the eco-friendly alternative to most synthetic fabrics. Sustainably developed and manufactured, this fabric is fully recyclable and long-lasting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Quick Dry Fabric

Q1：Does rayon dry quickly ?

A1：Rayon is a highly absorbent material that can retain moisture for a long time. As a result, it typically does not dry quickly and requires careful handling when washing and drying.

Q2：How does Quick Dry Fabric work ?

A2：Quick dry fabric is designed to wick moisture away from the skin and to the surface of the fabric, where it can evaporate more quickly. This is often achieved through the use of synthetic materials like polyester or nylon, which are highly hydrophobic and can repel water. Additionally, quick dry fabrics may have special finishes or treatments to enhance their moisture-wicking properties.

Polyester is a very popular fabric choice – it is, in fact, the most popular of all the synthetics.  Because it can often have a synthetic feel, it is often blended with natural fibers, to get the benefit of natural fibers which breathe and feel good next to the skin, coupled with polyester’s durability, water repellence and wrinkle resistance.  Most sheets sold in the United States, for instance, are cotton/poly blends.

It is also used in the manufacture of all kinds of clothing and sportswear – not to mention diapers, sanitary pads, mattresses, upholstery, curtains  and carpet. If you look at labels, you might be surprised just how many products in your life are made from polyester fibers.

So what is this polyester that we live intimately with each day?

At this point, I think it would be good to have a basic primer on polyester production, and I’ve unabashedly lifted a great discussion from Marc Pehkonen and Lori Taylor, writing in their website diaperpin.com:

Basic polymer chemistry isn’t too complicated, but for most people the manufacture of the plastics that surround us is a mystery, which no doubt suits the chemical producers very well. A working knowledge of the principles involved here will
make us more informed users.

Polyester is only one compound in a class of petroleum-derived substances known as polymers. Thus, polyester (in common with most polymers) begins its life in our time as crude oil. Crude oil is a cocktail of components that can be separated by industrial distillation. Gasoline is one of these components, and the precursors of polymers such as polyethylene are also present.

Polymers are made by chemically reacting a lot of little molecules together to make one long molecule, like a string of beads. The little molecules are called monomers and the long molecules are called polymers.

Like this:

O + O + O + . . . makes OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Depending on which polymer is required, different monomers are chosen. Ethylene, the monomer for polyethylene, is obtained directly from the distillation of crude oil; other monomers have to be synthesized from more complex petroleum derivatives, and the path to these monomers can be several steps long. The path for polyester, which is made by reacting ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, is shown below. Key properties of the intermediate materials are also shown.

The polymers themselves are theoretically quite unreactive and therefore not particularly harmful, but this is most certainly not true of the monomers. Chemical companies usually make a big deal of how stable and unreactive the polymers are, but that’s not what we should be interested in. We need to ask, what about the monomers? How unreactive are they?

We need to ask these questions because a small proportion of the monomer will never be converted into polymer. It just gets trapped in between the polymer chains, like peas in spaghetti. Over time this unreacted monomer can escape, either by off-gassing into the atmosphere if the initial monomers were volatile, or by dissolving into water if the monomers were soluble. Because these monomers are so toxic, it takes very small quantities to be harmful to humans, so it is important to know about the monomers before you put the polymers next to your skin or in your home. Since your skin is usually moist,
any water-borne monomers will find an easy route into your body.

Polyester is the terminal product in a chain of very reactive and toxic precursors. Most are carcinogens; all are poisonous. And even if none of these chemicals remain entrapped in the final polyester structure (which they most likely do), the manufacturing process requires workers and our environment to be exposed to some or all of the chemicals shown in the flowchart above. There is no doubt that the manufacture of polyester is an environmental and public health burden
that we would be better off without.

What does all of that mean in terms of our health?  Just by looking at one type of cancer, we can see how our lives are being changed by plastic use:

• The connection between plastic and breast cancer was first discovered in 1987 at Tufts Medical School in Boston by
  research scientists Dr. Ana Soto and Dr. Carlos Sonnenschein. In the midst of their experiments on cancer cell growth, endocrine-disrupting chemicals leached from plastic test tubes into the researcher’s laboratory experiment, causing a rampant proliferation of breast cancer cells. Their findings were published in Environmental Health Perspectives[1].
• Spanish researchers, Fatima and Nicolas Olea, tested metal food cans that were lined with plastic. The cans were also found to be leaching hormone disrupting chemicals in 50% of the cans tested. The levels of contamination were twenty-seven times more than the amount a Stanford team reported was enough to make breast cancer cells proliferate. Reportedly, 85% of the food cans in the United States are lined with plastic. The Oleas reported their findings in

  Environmental Health Perspectives

  (1995).[2]
• Commentary published in

  Environmental Health Perspectives

  in April 2010 suggested that PET might yield endocrine disruptors under conditions of common use and recommended research on this topic. [3]

These studies support claims that plastics are simply not good for us – prior to 1940, breast cancer was relatively rare; today it affects 1 in 11 women.  We’re not saying that plastics alone are responsible for this increase, but to think that they don’t contribute to it is, we think, willful denial.  After all, gravity existed before Newton’s father planted the apple tree and the world was just as round before Columbus was born.

Polyester fabric is soft, smooth, supple – yet still a plastic.  It contributes to our body burden in ways that we are just beginning to understand.  And because polyester is highly flammable, it is often treated with a flame retardant, increasing the toxic load.  So if you think that you’ve lived this long being exposed to these chemicals and haven’t had a problem, remember that the human body can only withstand so much toxic load – and that the endocrine disrupting chemicals which don’t seem to bother you may be affecting generations to come.

Agin, this is a blog which is supposed to cover topics in textiles:   polyester is by far the most popular fabric in the United States.  Even if made of recycled yarns, the toxic monomers are still the building blocks of the fibers.  And no mention is ever made of the processing chemicals used to dye and finish the polyester fabrics, which as we know contain some of the chemicals which are most damaging to human health.

Why does a specifier make the decision to use polyester – or another synthetic –  when all the data points to this fiber as being detrimental to the health and well being of the occupants?  Why is there not a concerted cry for safe processing chemicals at the very least?

[1] http://www.bu-eh.org/uploads/Main/Soto%20EDs%20as%20Carcinogens.pdf

[2] http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zwa-reports-are-plastic-products-causing-breast-cancer-epidemic-76957597.html

[3]  Sax, Leonard, “Polyethylene Terephthalate may Yield Endocrine Disruptors”,
Environmental Health Perspectives, April 2010, 118 (4): 445-448