MOISTURE

The amount of moisture in a sample of material may be expressed in terms of Regain or Moisture Content. Moisture Regain (MR): Moisture regain is defined as the weight of water in the material expressed as percentage of the oven dry weight. Let, Oven dry weight = D Weight of water = W (= Original weight- oven dry weight) Moisture Regain = MR or R Then, R (%) = 100 W D Moisture Content (MC): Moisture regain is defined as the weight of water in the material expressed as percentage of the total weight. Let, Oven dry weight = D Weight of water = W (= Original weight- oven dry weight) Moisture Content = MC or C Then, C (%) = 100 W W+D Oven Dry Weight: The constant weight obtained by drying textiles at specific temperature of 105 3oC [BS 1051: 1964]

Relation between MR & MC: Let, Oven dry weight = D Weight of water = W Moisture Regain = MR or R Moisture Content = MC or C By definition, Moisture Regain, R = 100 W D Moisture Content, C = 100 W W+D From (i), D= 100 W R Now from (ii) we get, C= W+ 100 W 100 W R = 100 W W (1 + 100 R = ) 100 R 100 + R (ii) (i)

C=

100 R 100+R

Similarly, R= C 1- C 100

100C 100-C

Atmospheric Conditions The regain of a textile material depends upon the amount of moisture present in the surrounding air. The dampness of the atmosphere can be described in terms of Humidity either Absolute humidity or Relative Humidity. Absolute Humidity: The weight of water present in a unit volume of a moist air i.e., grains per cubic foot or grains per cubic centimeter. [7000 grain = 1lb] Relative Humidity (RH): Relative humidity is the ratio of actual vapour pressure to the saturated vapour pressure at the same temperature expressed as a percentage. RH (%) = Actual vapour pressure Saturated vapour pressure x 100

Alternative definition, Relative humidity is the ratio of Absolute humidity of the air to that of air saturated with water vapour at the same temperature & pressure . RH (%) = Absolute humidity of the air x 100 Absolute humidity of air saturated with water vapour at the same temp & pressure

Standard atmosphere: It is defined as an atmosphere at prevailing barometric pressure with a relative humidity 65% & a temperature of 20oC. Testing atmosphere: The atmosphere with a relative humidity of 65 2% & a temperature of 20 2oC (68 4oF) is called testing atmosphere. For tropical & sub-tropical countries, A higher standard temperature of 27 2oC (81 4oF) is used as a temperature of 20 2oC is difficult to achieve . Standard Moisture Regain: The moisture absorbed by a particular weight sample in standard atmosphere after treating at 1053oC is called Standard Moisture Regain. It is also called official regain.

Correct Invoice Weight

Correct Invoice Weight (CIW): The weight obtained after adding standard moisture regain to the oven dry weight is called Correct Invoice Weight or Conditioned weight Correct Invoice weight= Oven dry weight + Standard Moisture regain (Official allowance)

Importance of correct invoice weight: In commercial transactions where textile materials are paid for by weight it is clearly necessary to have agreement between buyer & seller on the exact weight to be paid for. The buyer certainly does not wish to pay for excess water at the price per lb of the textile material. A correct invoice weight is therefore determined.

Calculation of correct invoice weight: Let, Correct Invoice Weight= CIW C= oven dry weight of the consignment W= weight of the consignment at the time of sampling S= original weight of the sample D= oven dry weight of the sample(either with or without cleaning) Then, C W = D S

C = W x D S

For samples dried without cleaning, # Correct Invoice Weight, CIW = C x 100+R1 100 [R1= Official allowance/Std moisture regain]

For samples dried out after cleaning, # Correct Invoice Weight, CIW = C x 100+R2+A2+B2 100

[R2+A2+B2= Total allowance for moisture regain, natural grease, wax, fatty matter, added oil, dressing etc]

For blended (A/B) material (PA/PB), # Correct Invoice Weight, CIW = C x 100+XAB 100

[XAB= PARA+PBRB = allowance for blended material] 100 Where, PA= amount of material A in the blend PB= amount of material B in the blend RA= Regain for material A RB= Regain for material B

Standard regain of different fibres: Fibre Cotton Silk Polyester Viscose Nylon Flax & Hemp Cellulose acetate Acrylic Sisal & Manilla Wool (carbonised) Scoured wool Std MR % (R1 or R2) 8.5 11 0.4 11 4 12 6 1.5 12 17 16

Problem #01: Find out the official allowance & CIW of an 80/20 cotton/nylon blended yarn. Official allowance, XAB = (80x8.5+20x4)/100=6.8+0.8=7.6 % Amount of nylon in the blend, Pnylon = Amount of cotton in the blend, Pcotton = Regain for nylon, Rnylon = Regain for cotton, Rcotton = Official allowance, XAB =( PARA+PBRB )/100= (80x8.5+20x4)/100=6.8+0.8=7.6 % Oven dry weight of the consignment, C= W x D S Correct Invoice Weight, CIW = C x 100+XAB = 100 =

Problem# 02: The oven dry weight of 220 gm of cotton yarn is found to be 200 gm. Calculate CIW for 1000 kg consignment of yarn. Here, Original wt of sample, S = 220 gm Oven dry wt of sample, D = 200 gm Original wt of the consignment, W = 1000 kg=1000000 gm Oven dry wt of the consignment = C Standard moisture regain for cotton, R = 8.5%

C = W x D = (1000000 x 200)/220 = S CIW = C x (100 + R)/100 =

Factors affecting the regain of textile material: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Relative humidity Time Temperature Previous history of the sample Types of material

Relative humidity: It is the main factor which affects the regain of textile fibre. The amount of regain depends upon the moisture present in the air. If there is more moisture present in the atmosphere i.e., if

Relative humidity is higher, the fibre will absorb more water from the air.

Desorption curve (wet sample) Absorption curve (dry sample) moisture regain

RH (%) Fig: Curve showing the relation between regain & relative humidity Time:

When a textile material is placed in a given atmosphere, it takes a certain amount of time to reach the equilibrium. The rate of conditioning depends on several factors such as
the size & form of the sample, the material, external conditions etc. For example, for testing yarn count in hank form the conditioning time requires to be at least 1 hr while it is at least 3 hrs in package form. Temperature:

For practical purpose, the effect of temperature is not so important. For example, a
change of 10oC will give a change in the regain of cotton about 0.3%. Hence this factor can be ignored.

The previous history of the sample: The previous history of sample can affect the equilibrium regain. In case of hysteresis effect, the wet sample has a higher regain value than the dry sample in equilibrium. Processing can also change the regain. Removal of oil, wax & other impurities also bring change in regain. e.g., the official regain of scoured wool is 16% & for the oil-combed tops is 19%. Types of material:

Different fibre has different regain value in a particular relative humidity. Also loose materials have a higher regain value than compact materials. # Absorption-desorption curve # Hysteresis effect

Some effects of regain on textile fibre properties:

Physical properties: Absorption of moisture is accompanied by changes in the dimensions of fibres. Swelling is mostly transversal since the water molecules penetrate between the more or less parallel molecular chains & exert their forces outward. Swelling (%) = swollen dimension dry dimension Dry dimension x 100

Although the length of the fibre increases due to absorbed moisture, the net result of absorbed moisture in fabrics is a decrease in length (i.e. shrinkage).Dimensional changes in the fabrics as it passes from one atmosphere to another may result in wrinkled appearance (example: suits tailored in one atmosphere & worn in others, especially in climates where high humidities are found). Dimensional changes due to absorption of moisture: Fibre Cotton Wool Viscose Acetate Nylon Silk Transverse or area swelling (%) 21 25 60 8 3.2 19 Axial or longitudinal swelling (%) 1.1 1.2 4.0-7.0 0.3 1.5 1.3-1.7

Advantage of swelling is taken in the design of waterproofs. A close weave can be used which becomes even closer as the component yarns swell, thus preventing the penetration of water. Mechanical properties: The general effect of water molecules in the water is to reduce the size of the forces holding the molecular chains together, thereby weakening the fibre. Important exceptions are found in case of vegetable fibres such as cotton & flax where strength is increased. Other mechanical properties affected by regain are extensibility, crease recovery, flexibility & ability to be set by finishing process.

Electrical properties: The electrical resistance of textile materials is very much affected by the moisture regain. MR Static electricity

The ratio of the resistance at low regain & at high regain can be up to 100000:1. The design of moisture meters are based on the measurement of resistance values of textiles. Also Shirley electrical hygrometer uses the resistance principle. Other electrical properties affected by the amount of moisture in the material are the dielectric characteristics & the susceptibility to static troubles. Dielectric characteristics are considered in the measurement of irregularity of slivers, rovings & yarns on capacity type testers. Thermal effects: When moisture is absorbed by textile materials heat is generated. This heat is referred to as the heat of absorption. The heat evolved after wetting completely a dry sample is termed as the heat of wetting expressed in calories per gram of dry material. Example: In passing from a room of at 18oC & 45% RH into an outside atmosphere at 5oC & 95% RH, a mans woolen jacket weighing 1 kg will produce 100,000 cal of heat , i.e., as much heat as normal body metabolism will produce in 1 hr.

Hygrometer: The instruments used in the determination of the humidity are known as hygrometers or psychrometers. The three main types of instruments are: 1. 2. 3. Thermo-hygrograph: A combined temperature & humidity recording instrument is called a thermo-hygrograph. This uses a bimetallic helical coil for the temperature measurement & a band of human hair for the RH% measurement. [Human hair has the property of lengthening or shortening as the humidity of the surrounding air increases or decreases] Wet & dry bulb hygrometer Hair hygrometer Electrolytic hygrometers

Wet & dry bulb hygrometer: Theory / principle: Machine description: Working procedure:

CSIRO direct regain tester: Theory / principle: Machine diagram: Machine description: Working procedure: Range/capacity: