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How to Know A Quality Evaporative Cooling Fabric From...Well the Other Stuff. Part 1 Absorbency

Writer's picture: Ioannis AnastasakisIoannis Anastasakis

Updated: Nov 25, 2024

kewlfabric

I was recently reminded when reading through some LinkedIn articles that people are promoting their various personal cooling garments based on rather incomplete information and claiming how great they are.  So, how do you know you have a high quality evaporative cooling fabric that will be an #activecooling solution and not some cheap knock-off, made by some third tier manufacturer, out of who knows where?


It is actually pretty simple.  You need to ask three questions (and of course get the certifications), and avoid being sucked into a single data point promotion, like how cold it gets during a single moment in time temperature measurement.  So, what does this mean?


There are three basic tests I demand when considering/comparing an evaporative cooling technology, absorbency, cooling capacity and duration.  Each data point drives the next, ensuring high capacity cooling for a long duration ensuring you have a real #coolingsolution.  Of course, I also ensure that the fabric passes all applicable standards and certifications such as REACH, CA Prop 65, etc.


FIRST, ABSORBENCY


What is the fabric’s absorption rate both before and after 40 wash cycles?  This measures not only how quickly the fabric will absorb water, but how much it will absorb.  Absorption rate is usually measured in g/m2 with the GSM of the fabric as a comparison point.  You want lots of absorption and a light or low GSM fabric.  Absorbency rate is important as it is the first step in proving cooling capacity and duration.


We did an absorption test between KewlFabric 7101, a European manufactured non-woven fabric (A) and a Chinese manufactured non-woven fabric (B).  These were all non-woven fabrics being promoted as high end, high quality evaporative cooling options by some big brand names.

evaporative cooling

As you can see, KewlFabric 7101 provides a light fabric with a very high absorbency due to our uniquely formulated super-absorbent fibers.  But, don’t be fooled but just this number.  What does it matter if you can’t wash the garment!  What happens to absorbency after 40 wash cycles? 


Well, most non-woven fabrics see a dramatic decline in absorbency after being washed once, as all of the absorbing materials get washed out.  We put KewlFabric 7101 through a 40 wash cycle test and found that KewlFabric 7101 retained 80% of its absorbency.  Both of the tests to measure absorbency are expensive and are not often done by manufacturers, or their customers, because of the cost and their high failure rate.

evaporative cooling

So, KewlFabric 7101 passes the absorbency litmus test, exceeding other supposed evaporative cooling fabrics by a significant margin both pre and post washing.  Absorbency is crucial and drives cooling capacity and cooling duration.  Next week I will discuss cooling capacity and why this measure is so important.  For a head start check out our Cooling Capacity video.


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