Abstract
A new type of simulator for clothing microclimate was constructed. It was designed to simulate the humidity fluctuation in clothing microclimate as observed under the light working conditions and to measure the surface temperature of a fabric specimen faced to skin by means of a radiation thermometer. Knitted fabrics of cotton and polyester, and a polyethylene film were used as specimens with different hygroscopicities. The quick rises and drops in the surface temperature of cotton fabrics were observed under the rapid fluctuation of the microclimate humidity. Under the same humidity fluctuation, the temperature of polyester fabrics rose and dropped more moderately than that of cotton fabrics, and the temperature of the polyethylene film did not change. Generally, the higher is the rate of change in stimulus temperature, the closer approaches the threshold temperature of warm sensation on the skin to a given adapting temperature. Therefore, the quick and large changes in the fabric temperature faced to skin, which were observed especially for hygroscopic cotton fabrics, must affect the thermal comfort of clothing.
