Heat Storage
Heat Storage is a function that stores heat gained from sunlight, the human body, and other sources in the material or finished layer, and releases it when the temperature drops, helping to keep warmth inside clothing.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
Heat storage is a function applied to apparel textiles that temporarily retains heat received from outside and releases it when the surrounding temperature drops, helping to maintain warmth inside the garment. In addition to the properties of the fiber itself, it may be expressed through processing containing functional particles or through layered construction.
Heat storage performance is distinguished from thermal insulation, which simply comes from the textile being thick or containing a lot of air. However, actual warmth during wear is affected not only by heat storage function but also by textile thickness, density, lining, quilt batting, and layering.
Features
Heat storage textiles are expected to use heat received outdoors during the day or in heated environments to moderate temperature changes in situations where cold is easily felt. The amount of heat retained and its duration vary depending on the strength of the heat source, wearing environment, and material composition.
Appearance and hand feel are not determined by the heat storage function alone. They range from lightweight textiles to brushed goods, knits, and wovens, and depending on the processing method, hardness, luster, slipperiness, and breathability may change. Checking the actual material is important.
Main Applications
Used for autumn and winter innerwear, cut-and-sewn items, shirts, pants, jackets, outerwear, and more. It is also considered for commuter wear that moves between outdoors and indoors, as well as sports and outdoor applications where both warmth retention and ease of movement are desired.
In designs that utilize sunlight, the perceived warmth changes depending on the exposed parts of the garment, the color of the outer textile, and whether layering is used. When adopting it as cold-weather wear, check not only the heat storage function but also the combination with wind resistance, thermal insulation, and moisture permeability according to the intended application.
How to Choose and Handling Precautions
When selecting, check the heat storage mechanism, test conditions, post-wash function retention, fabric weight, thickness, and stretch in the specification sheet or swatch. Because the feeling of warmth varies from person to person, conducting wear tests during the planning stage helps in judging the finished result.
Shrinkage and dimensional change are affected by the base fabric fiber, structure, and finish, not by whether or not it has heat storage function. Before cutting, consider boiling off or straightening the grain as needed, and follow the care label and processing conditions for each textile when washing, drying, and ironing.
Textiles with resin processing or surface finishing require attention to needle holes, presser marks, and hand-feel changes caused by heat during sewing. To avoid seam puckering and seam slippage, confirm the needle size, thread, and feed conditions with trial stitching before mass production.
Differences from Similar Terms
Moisture-absorbing heat generation is a function that mainly uses heat generated when moisture is adsorbed, and differs from heat storage in how the heat is obtained. Some textiles combine both functions, so check not only the labeling but also the basis for the function.
Thermal insulation is a general term for the performance that makes it harder for warmed air and body heat inside the garment to escape. Brushed back is a surface or reverse-side finish that makes it easier to obtain thermal insulation through the air layer created by the fluff. Heat storage is a function related to the exchange of heat and is not the same thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are heat storage textiles the same as moisture-absorbing heat-generating textiles?
No, they are not the same. Heat storage retains and releases heat received from sunlight, the surrounding environment, or the human body, while moisture-absorbing heat generation uses the heat produced when moisture is absorbed. However, some textiles combine both functions, so check the individual function explanations and test conditions.
Do heat storage textiles lose performance after washing?
The durability of the function differs depending on the specifications, such as whether it is a type with the functionality compounded into the fiber or a type with post-processing. It is important to check changes according to the number of washes and handle the item in line with the care label. Before mass production, also check the hand feel, shrinkage rate, and appearance after washing tests.
Can heat storage textiles alone be used to make cold-weather clothing?
Heat storage performance alone cannot determine cold-weather protection performance. In cold environments, warmth is also affected by the wind resistance of the outer textile, the air layer created by the lining and quilt batting, the ease or looseness of the garment, and how difficult it is for cold air to enter through the cuffs and hem. Configure it according to the expected temperature, activity level, and wearing time.
