2010 Volume 47 Issue 1 Pages 35-44
The purpose of this study was to make clear the effects of the different ambient humidity on mean skin temperature while wearing two types of undershirts with different moisture absorption (Polyester (P), Cupro/Polyester (C)). Seven subjects wearing both undershirts participated in the study at an ambient temperature from 26° to 20° and then 35°C over 240 minutes. As a result, difference of mean skin temperature between C and P (C − P) significantly changed 0.49°C toward plus after the onset of sweating in 50% relative humidity (RH), and the effect of heat of sorption was observed (p < 0.05). However, the effect of heat of sorption on mean skin temperature was not observed in 70%RH. Furthermore, when initial ambient humidity rose from 30, 50, and 70%RH to 95%RH at an ambient temperature of 26°C constant, increase of the clothing surface temperature in both materials of P and C was less in the higher initial ambient humidity (p < 0.05). It was suggested that the amount of heat of sorption was diminished with rising initial ambient humidity. These results clearly showed that the changes of mean skin temperature with the heat of sorption were influenced by the level of ambient humidity after the onset of sweating, while wearing the undershirts with different moisture absorption.
