Moisture in the microclimate and its influence on comfort of apparel items

The objectives of this research are to determine whether subtle differences in the measured static and dynamic heat and moisture transport properties of three protective coverall garments translate into noticeable differences in the wearer's physical comfort, and additionally whether subjects perceive and are sensitive to these resultant changes in their microclimate.; These objectives were accomplished by human subject testing of three fire-resistant coveralls, each with slightly different thermal and moisture transport properties. Nine subjects submitted to a protocol of moderate exercise and rest in an environmental chamber which maintained steady state conditions of 25{dollar}spcirc{dollar}C and 40% RH. The microclimate created between the garment and skin surface was monitored with relative humidity probes capable of measuring transient changes in the microclimate. Subjective perceptions of changes in microclimate humidity conditions were also collected.; The three test garments denoted FRC, ATW and APW had measured material i{dollar}sb{lcub}rm m{rcub}{dollar}/Clo values of 0.95, 1.01 and 1.04 respectively. Results indicate statistically significant differences in measured microclimate relative humidity levels between the garment denoted as FRC and the remaining two garments that have lower i{dollar}sb{lcub}rm m{rcub}{dollar}/Clo values. No measured differences in microclimate humidity were detected for the remaining two garments with the smallest difference in i{dollar}sb{lcub}rm m{rcub}{dollar}/Clo values.; Results further indicate that perceptual responses to the changes in microclimate conditions reveal similar differences between the test garments, albeit with a lower level of statistical significance due to the more variable nature of subjective responses.; Finally a relationship was sought between measured microclimate relative humidity and the perception of relative humidity in order to develop a predictive model. A simple model was found that provides a reasonable prediction of the perception of microclimate relative humidity from the measured microclimate conditions.