Abstract
The newly developed water absorbent fibers are hollow fibers based on the polyester polymer. The side face of fibers is covered by a lot of micro voids passing to the hollow. Water is absorbed in the hollow through the micro voids by capillary migration. The fibers are water absorbent equivalent to cotton fibers. They are featured by quick drying, less change in bending rigidity and compressive characteristics and less stickiness to the human skin under the wet condition. Wearing tests by using shirts and slacks in the hot and humid atmosphere have shown that the garments of the water absorbent fibers are less sticky and less cool to the human skin. They also quickly recover their feeling from stickiness and coolness. It is confirmed that the water absorbent polyester fiber shows the higher wear comfort than regular polyester or cotton fibers.
