Skin Friction and Fabric Sensations in Neutral and Warm Environments

Abstract

The influence of skin friction on the perception of fabric texture and pleasantness (acceptability) was studied by exposing eight men to a sequence of environmental conditions: neutral (comfortable), hot-dry, hot-humid, and return to neutral. The air and dew point temperatutes ( T_a: T_dp) of these conditions were 23:15°C, 35:15°C, 35 :29°C, and 23:15°C, respectively; air velocity was 0.05 m/s. During each condition, which lasted 20 minutes, six different fabrics (worsted wool, brushed cotton, cotton, silk, linen, and burlap) were slowly pulled across the subject's forearm. Frictional force of fabric pull across the forearm and the subject's ratings of texture and pleasantness (hedonic) were recorded. Arm skin temperature and skin wettedness were recorded continually. The frictional force required to pull each fabric over the skin correlated positively (P < 0.05) with skin wettedness. As force and skin wettedness increased, the subjects rated all fabrics as feeling more textured (rougher) and less pleasant (P < 0.05). Increased perception of fabric texture significantly decreased fabric ac ceptability. On return to the neutral condition, the parameters returned to their initial values. The conclusion is that moisture on the skin surface increases skin friction, which enhances perception of roughness and decreases the acceptability of clothing worn in hot environments.