Water Absorbency

Definition and Overview

Water absorbency refers to a textile’s ability to take in moisture. In addition to the fiber itself absorbing moisture, capillary action created by yarn thickness, twist, structure, and fuzz or pile also affects the amount of water absorbed and how it is drawn in.

Water absorbency is distinguished from moisture absorbency, which refers to taking in sweat as water vapor. It is also not synonymous with quick-drying water absorbency, which is the property of dispersing and evaporating moisture quickly after it has been absorbed, so it needs to be checked separately according to the application.

Features and Effect on Appearance

Textiles that include cotton, rayon, and linen generally tend to absorb moisture easily. However, even with the same material name, performance changes depending on blend ratio, yarn, structure, and aftertreatment, so water absorbency cannot be judged from the material alone.

Textiles that readily absorb moisture can help reduce the discomfort of sweat remaining against the skin, but when wet, they become heavier and may look darker or feel less comfortable against the skin. Pile structures such as terry cloth are a typical structure that retains moisture easily.

Main Applications

Water absorbency is emphasized in spring and summer apparel, underwear, nightwear, sportswear, kids’ apparel, and other items that frequently come into contact with sweat and moisture. In shirts and cut-and-sew garments, it is used when selecting textiles to address stuffiness and sweat stickiness during wear.

However, for high-activity applications, drying speed is also important in addition to the amount of water absorbed. Textiles that absorb sweat but dry slowly may cause chilling or heaviness, so they should be considered together with breathability, moisture permeability, and quick-drying performance.

• Applications for wiping away moisture, such as towels, handkerchiefs, and bathrobes
• Applications that receive sweat, such as T-shirts, underwear, and shirts
• Applications with high perspiration, such as sportswear and workwear

Selection and Handling Precautions

When selecting a textile, check not only whether it has water absorbency, but also absorbency speed, diffusion, and drying performance to match the intended application. It is practical to assume actual wear and washing conditions and confirm the spread of water droplets on a swatch, color change when wet, skin release, and the hand feel after drying.

Textiles containing absorbent natural fibers or regenerated fibers may shrink during washing. Before cutting and sewing, if necessary, carry out boiling treatment or straightening and confirm the shrinkage rate. When wet, textiles can stretch or change shape easily, so handle them without pulling excessively.

In sewing, allow for dimensional changes when moisture is absorbed and cut along the grain. If garment washing is performed, it is important to check shrinkage differences with sewing thread, interlining, and trims, as well as the presence or absence of color bleeding, in advance testing.

Frequently Asked Questions