81 Mohammad Sabry, et al

The Effect of using Multilayer Fabric in Controlling Water Permeability of some Protective
Textiles

Mohammad Sabry
Professor of Textile Testing, Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Cairo,
drmsisabry@hotmail.com
Ghada Baioumy
Professor of Textile Testing, Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Cairo
Amr Magdy Taha
Engineer at Spinning and Weaving Dep., Industrial Development Authority, Cairo,
amr_ica@hotmail.com

Abstract: Keywords:
Textiles are an essential component of the effective protection provided against many Technical Textiles,
hazards such as chemicals, fire, and biological threats. When selecting a protective Protective Textiles, Water
textiles, there are many factors to consider, such as the application type, level of Permeability, Multilayer
protection, breathability, type of chemicals, cost, productivity, durability, and
acceptance. In addition, textile design and the presence of air gaps, as well as textile's Fabrics.
physical characteristics like thermal resistance, water absorption, and moisture
transfer, play a significant effect. This research presents a study concerning using
multi-layer fabrics as a factor for controlling the water permeability of some protective
fabrics.
Paper received December 21, 2023, Accepted February 12, 2024, Published on line May 1, 2024

1. Introduction: advances in a variety of sectors. However, it should

Technical Textiles: be acknowledged that technological advancements
Technical textiles represent the fastest increasing have also exposed us to threats and the danger of
section in the clothing and textile industries, it can being affected by unidentified physical, chemical,
be seen as high added value applications [1]. and biological attacks. We also continue to be
Technical textiles are differentiated from other exposed to hazards from radiation, chemicals, fire,
textiles in that they are made or designed to have and biological threats like viruses and bacteria.
specific functional properties and technical Textiles are an essential component of the effective
performance, rather than having decorative or protection provided against the majority of these
aesthetic properties [2], [3]. hazards.
Technical textiles can be referred to as functional Today's hazards which we are exposed to are often
textiles, industrial textiles, engineering textiles, so specialized that no one type of clothing would
performance textiles, and hi-tech textiles. Technical provide enough protection.
textiles may be used individually or as a part of Protective clothing must provide appropriate
another product to improve the product protection, and should be comfortable to wear.
performance. Technical textiles are used as Predicting the performance and comfort of clothing
accessories in processes to make other products as depends on the clothing design, appropriate
paper maker felt in paper mills or filter textile in material selection, and final evaluation of the
food industry[4]. results [6], [7].
Technical textiles provide several functions as Protective Textiles Classification:
liquid repellence, absorbency, stretch, resilience, Categorizing protective textiles is a challenging due
strength, softness, washability, flame resistance, to no single classification can clearly describe all
microbial barrier, filtering etc. these properties are types of protection. Overlapping of definitions is
mostly combined to create textiles suited for common since there are so numerous professions
specific applications. and applications, even the same class of protective
Depending on the product functional requirements, clothing frequently has different requirements in
properties, and end-user applications, the highly method and protection. According to the end-use
diversified of technical textile products have been functions, protective textiles can be categorized into
divided into the following: hometech, packtech, categories like electrostatic protection, thermal
sporttech, medtech, clothtech, indutech, geotech, protection, flame protection, chemical protection,
agrotech, oekotech, buildtech, mobiltech, protech biological protection, radiation protection,
[5]. mechanical impact protection, and wearer visibility,
Protective Textiles: etc.[8].
The value and quality of human life have Water Permeability:
undoubtedly increased as a result of scientific
Citation: Mohammad Sabry, et al (2024), The Effect of using Multilayer Fabric in Controlling Water Permeability of some
Protective Textiles, International Design Journal, Vol. 14 No. 3, (May 2024) pp 81-86
 The Effect of using Multilayer Fabric in Controlling Water Permeability of some Protective Textiles 82

water permeability is one of the most essential which have the ability to complement and enhance
properties, which affects the thermal insulation, the essential comfort [11], [12]. The method of
quick liquid absorption, ability to evaporate water production, fabric structure, materials and weight of
while remaining dry to the touch, and transporting each layer can be controlled according to the final
perspiration from the skin to the outer surface and usage and required properties. Number of layers
then quickly dispersing it. The term permeation test could play a significant role in moisture and heat
is refer to the penetration of Water / Liquids transport properties of fabrics. [13], [14].
through a textile material at a molecular level. A good multilayered system should include at least
Liquid permeability is vital in textiles, especially three layers: outermost layers, and an inner
when used for protection against water-related layer[15].
hazards. Liquid permeability is an outstanding 2. Experimental:
technical characteristic that is highly required in Fabric Production:
textile materials utilized in different sectors ranging The excuted fabrics were multi-layer fabrics that
from biosciences, electronics, sports, industries, and consists of woven fabrics for the outer 2 layers and
other active wear. This extends beyond only water non-woven fabrics for the filling layer.
permeability to include other liquids such as Woven Fabric Produced Specifications:
alcohols, inks, and oils, which are commonly used Four materials were used in the six produced
in various sectors [9], [10]. woven fabrics as shown in table 1:
Multi-layer Fabric: Two looms were utilized to produce the fabrics,
Multilayer fabric is a type of fabrics which are loom 1 with a cotton warp, and loom 2 with a
composed of one or more layers. Multilayered polyester warp.
fabrics may consist of various layers of the fabrics
Table (1): Types of Produced Fabric
Serial Type Warp material Weft material
1 Cotton Cotton 100% Cotton 100%
2 Polyester Polyester 100% Polyester 100%
3 Cotton – Acrylic Cotton 100% Acrylic 100%
4 Cotton – Viscose Cotton 100% Viscose 100%
5 Polyester – Cotton Polyester 100% Cotton 100%
6 Polyester – Acrylic Polyester 100% Acrylic 100%
Yarn Count: Nonwoven Fabric Produced Specifications
Cotton 80/2 Ne (266/2 Denier) was utilized for Polypropylene was utilized for producing
warp yarns of loom 1, and polyester 150/1 Denier nonwoven fabrics.
(36/1 Ne) was utilized for warp yarns of loom 2. Nonwoven fabrics weight is 110 gm/m².
30/1 Ne (177/1 Denier) was utilized for weft yarns. Nonwoven fabrics were produced by thermal
Fabric Set: bonding process, these utilized as filling (Middle)
All woven fabrics have the same number of warp, layer.
which were 66 ends per cm, and the same number Bonding Process:
of picks, which were 30 picks per cm. Stitching method was used to bond the layers to
Fabric Structure: produce multi-layer fabrics. Single needle sewing
Canvas 2/2 structure was utilized to produce the machine was utilized to bond the layers as shown in
fabrics. figure 1.

Figure (1) Bonding the Fabric Layers [16]

International Design Journal, Volume 14, Issue 3 (May 2024)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
 83 Mohammad Sabry, et al

Polyester yarn (210/3 denier) was utilized for Stitching design of multilayer fabrics is shown in
sewing. figure (2):
Sewed squares were formed by the size of, 3x3 cm,
4.5x4.5 cm, and 6x6 cm.

Figure (2) Stitching Design of Multilayer Fabrics

Layering Process: them by stitching at different distances, 3 cm, 4.5
Samples were prepared utilizing three layers of cm, and 6 cm.
fabric (Sandwich): two outer layers (woven fabric) Multi-layer fabrics arrangement is shown in table
and one filling layer (nonwoven fabric), bonding (2):
Table (2): Types of Produced Multilayer Fabric
Serial Outer layer Filling layer Outer layer
1 Cotton Polyester
2 Cotton Polyester - Cotton
3 Cotton Cotton – Acrylic
4 Polyester Polypropylene Polyester - Cotton
5 Polyester Cotton - Viscose
6 Polyester Cotton - Acrylic
7 Polyester Polyester - Acrylic
Fabric Testing: thickness test. In Section 3.2., results and
Fabric thickness test, was carried out according to discussion for fabric water permeability test. In
the standard method ASTM D 1777 [17]. Section 3.3., discussion for the effect of fabric
Fabric water permeability test, was carried out thickness on water permeability.
according to the standard method ASTM D 4491 3.1. Fabric Thickness:
[18]. Table (3) and figure (3) represent the change of the
3. Results and Discussion: different of stitching distances on fabric thickness
This section are divided into three sub-sections. In of produced fabrics.
Section 3.1., results and discussion for fabric
Table (3): The Effect of the Changing of Stitching Distances on Fabric Thickness for Produced Fabrics
6x6 cm 4.5x4.5 cm 3x3 cm
Samples
( Cm³/Cm²/S)
Outer Layer Cotton
Filling Polypropylene 1.97 1.92 1.855
Outer Layer Polyester
Outer Layer Cotton
Filling Polypropylene 1.981 1.908 1.848
Outer Layer Polyester - Cotton
Outer Layer Cotton
Filling Polypropylene 2.012 1.931 1.86
Outer Layer Cotton – Acrylic
Outer Layer Polyester
Filling Polypropylene 1.964 1.868 1.818
Outer Layer Polyester - Cotton
Outer Layer Polyester
Filling Polypropylene 2.03 1.925 1.866
Outer Layer Cotton - Viscose
Outer Layer Polyester
1.952 1.891 1.837
Filling Polypropylene

Citation: Mohammad Sabry, et al (2024), The Effect of using Multilayer Fabric in Controlling Water Permeability of some
Protective Textiles, International Design Journal, Vol. 14 No. 3, (May 2024) pp 81-86
 The Effect of using Multilayer Fabric in Controlling Water Permeability of some Protective Textiles 84

Outer Layer Cotton – Acrylic

Outer Layer Polyester
Filling Polypropylene 1.956 1.914 1.825
Outer Layer Polyester - Acrylic

Figure (3): The Relationship between Different Stitching Distances and Fabric Thickness for Produced
Fabrics
As shown in table (3) and figure (3) which The different materials of outer layers did not show
represent the relationship between bonding fabric a remarkable significant effect.
layers by stitching method at different distances & 3.2. Fabric Water Permeability:
the different materials of outer layers and fabric Table (4) and figure (4) represent the effect of the
thickness for produced fabrics, it is clear that there different of stitching distances and outer layers
is an increase in the fabric thickness for both materials on fabric water permeability for produced
samples 4.5x4.5 cm and 6x6 cm respectively. fabrics.
Table (4): The Effect of the Changing of Stitching Distances on Fabric Water Permeability for Produced
Fabrics
6x6 cm 4.5x4.5 cm 3x3 cm
Samples
(W/Cm*C)
Outer Layer Cotton
Filling Polypropylene 0.29 0.31 0.37
Outer Layer Polyester
Outer Layer Cotton
Filling Polypropylene 0.25 0.28 0.35
Outer Layer Polyester - Cotton
Outer Layer Cotton
Filling Polypropylene 0.18 0.22 0.28
Outer Layer Cotton – Acrylic
Outer Layer Polyester
Filling Polypropylene 0.42 0.57 0.64
Outer Layer Polyester - Cotton
Outer Layer Polyester
Filling Polypropylene 0.31 0.37 0.39
Outer Layer Cotton - Viscose
Outer Layer Polyester
0.33 0.38 0.44
Filling Polypropylene

International Design Journal, Volume 14, Issue 3 (May 2024)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
 85 Mohammad Sabry, et al

Outer Layer Cotton – Acrylic

Outer Layer Polyester
Filling Polypropylene 0.58 0.67 0.72
Outer Layer Polyester - Acrylic

Figure (4): The Relationship between Different Stitching Distances and Fabric Water Permeability for
Produced Fabrics
From table (4) and figure (4) which represent the results and higher water permeability than its
relationship between bonding fabric layers by counterpart samples 6x6 cm, this means that the
stitching method at different distances and fabric thickness of the fabric has an effect on fabric water
water permeability for produced fabrics, it is clear
permeability.
that samples 3x3 cm generally are a bit higher than
its counterpart samples 4.5x4.5 cm, and samples Conclusion:
4.5x4.5 cm are a bit generally higher than its This study investigated the effect of bonding fabric
counterpart samples 6x6 cm. Sample of (polyester- layers by stitching at different distances on the
polypropylene-polyester/acrylic) with stitching 3x3 water permeability of fabrics with different
cm has the highest value for fabric water materials.
permeability, and sample (cotton-polypropylene- From the results, the following conclusions can be
cotton/acrylic) with stitching 6x6 cm has the lowest reached:
value for fabric water permeability. - Fabric thickness influencing water
permeability, and is inversely proportional to
it is clear from the above figure that there is an
it.
increase in the fabric water permeability for both - Multilayer fabrics which include polyester
samples 4.5x4.5 cm and 3x3 cm respectively, this is yarn in both of their outer layers have the
may be due to that using sewing threads for highest values for fabric water permeability,
stitching larger squares leads to create larger air this may be due to poor absorbency of
gabs between fabric layers that acts as a barrier polyester to water, as the hydrophobic
against water transmission, results in to decrease in character of polyester causes water to transmit
fabric water permeability. by capillary channels.
3.3. The Relationship between the Fabric - There is an increase in the fabric water
Thickness and Fabric Water Permeability for permeability for both samples 4.5x4.5 cm and
Produced Fabrics: 3x3 cm respectively, this is may be due to
From fabric thickness results and water using larger squares which create larger air
gabs between fabric layers that acts as a barrier
permeability test results, it is clear that samples 3x3
against water transmission and results in
cm has lower thickness and higher water
decreasing in fabric water permeability.
permeability than its counterpart samples 4.5x4.5
References:
cm. Also samples 4.5x4.5 cm has lower thickness

Citation: Mohammad Sabry, et al (2024), The Effect of using Multilayer Fabric in Controlling Water Permeability of some
Protective Textiles, International Design Journal, Vol. 14 No. 3, (May 2024) pp 81-86
 The Effect of using Multilayer Fabric in Controlling Water Permeability of some Protective Textiles 86

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