Drying Rate Tester | A smart instrument developed by the sister company ChiuVention.
SmartDry Drying Rate Tester is equipped with high-precision temperature sensors, wind speed sensors precision water dripping devices, etc., which can quickly simulate the process of human sweating and quickly determine the drying rate of textiles.
SmartDry tests fast-drying fabrics, including quick-drying polyester and nylon, moisture-wicking fabrics for sportswear, outdoor gear fabrics like tents and jackets, swimwear, and home textiles such as towels and bedsheets.
The specially designed parallel cross-flow fan makes the wind speed more uniform and smooth, which can restore the actual evaporation process and make the drying test results more reliable. SmartDry Fabric Drying Rate Tester is a smart instrument, that can be connected to the SmarTexLab app installed in the smartphone through WIFI so that the parameters can be set remotely and the test process can be monitored, which greatly improves the working efficiency. SmartDry Dry Rate Tester applies to the AATCC 201 standard.
Description
Application of SmartDry Drying Rate Tester
Quick-dry fabrics: Fabrics like polyester and nylon, designed for outdoor sports or travel, often undergo dry rate testing to ensure they dry quickly after getting wet.
Sportswear fabrics: Performance fibers and moisture-wicking fabrics commonly used in sportswear need dry rate testing to ensure quick drying for enhanced comfort and performance.
Outdoor gear fabrics: Fabrics used in outdoor gear such as tents, sleeping bags, and waterproof jackets are tested to ensure quick drying in humid or wet conditions to maintain functionality.
Swimwear and gym clothing: These fabrics are exposed to water and high humidity, so their drying speed directly impacts the user experience.
Home textiles: Items like towels, bathrobes, and bedsheets are tested for dry rate to assess their comfort and practicality.
For detailed drying rate test, please read this article: Fabric Drying Rate Test.
Test Principle of SmartDry Drying Rate Tester
A test sample is placed on top of a heating plate at a constant temperature of 37° (99°F), and a certain amount of water rises from the bottom of the drying rate tester to the center of the plate and saturates the sample. An anemometer inside the instrument dries the sample. An infrared temperature sensor measures the change in temperature of the sample to determine if the drying is finished, and then the drying speed is determined by the test drying time.
Why SmartDry Drying Rate Tester
Smart instrument
This drying rate tester can be networked with the smartphone, so you can set parameters and monitor test status remotely, also directly get test results including the drying rate curve, time of drying and equipment warning alerts, etc.; Besides, you can share the fabric drying test results with others.
Efficient convenient, and more reliable test
With a high-precision temperature sensor, wind speed sensor, and precision drip device, you can complete the test of drying rate quickly in 10 minutes.
The specially designed parallel cross-flow fan of this dry rate tester makes the wind speed more uniform and smooth, which can display the actual evaporation process and make the fabric drying test results more reliable.
Simple and easy to use
The whole fabric drying test process will be displayed on the screen and presented as a clear data curve.
Precise appearance design, aluminum alloy hard oxidation surface, durable and easy to clean; seven-inch color touch screen is easy to use.
Know more about SmartDry, please visit this page.
The Specification of SmartDry Drying Rate Tester
Fan: can produce airflow of 0.5-3.5m/s ±0.1m/s
Heater plate: 305mm x 305mm±0.5mm
Soft heating plate: 305mm x 305mm±0.5mm
Heat-insulating corkboard: 305mm x 305mm±0.5mm
Metal pressure bar: 150mm x 40mmx2mm±1mm
The Heating temperature: 25℃-40℃±0.5℃(with overheat protection)
Infrared temperature sensor: 15℃-50℃±0.1°C
Drip accuracy 0.05-1.0ml±0.003ml
1.0-4.5ml ± 0.01ml
Accessories
Fuse 2pcs
Sampling plate 1 pc 150mm*150mm
Water bottle 1 pc 60mL
Standard
AATCC 201
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Sample Preparation
Cut three specimens from the right, middle, and left parts of the sample along the width direction, with each specimen measuring (15.0±0.5) cm x (15.0±0.5) cm. If the test sample is a garment or finished product, cut the specimens from different parts of the garment, such as the sleeves, back, and front. For socks, separate and test different structural areas along the length direction. If the sample size is smaller than the required test size, closely monitor the moisture migration. If the solution reaches the edge of the sample, reduce the water volume and use a new sample to retest. Before testing, condition the specimens according to ASTM D1776 “Standard Practice for Conditioning Textiles for Testing” by placing them on a wire screen or perforated shelf of a conditioning rack in a standard atmosphere of 21°C±2°C (70°F±4°F) and 65%±5% relative humidity for at least 4 hours. All tests should be conducted under standard conditions.
Test Procedures
By comparing the test steps of AATCC 201 and SmartDry, it can be found that the test steps of AATCC 201 are relatively traditional and complicated, and the test results need to be calculated manually, while SmartDry is easy to operate and has intelligent calculation function, which can effectively reduce the manual error.
AATCC 201 Standard Test Procedure
1.Turn on the thermostat and airbox of the removable heater to maintain the temperature of the metal plate at 37℃± 1℃ (99°F ± 2°F).
2.Use a hot-wire anemometer to ensure that the air velocity through the plate is 1.5 m/s ± 0.5 m/s. Measure the airflow directly after the infrared thermocouple probe.
3.The specimen was placed on the metal plate and preheated for 5 min so that the temperature of the specimen was in equilibrium with the temperature of the heating plate. The edge of the sample was close to the outer skin of the surface of the metal plate, and a magnetic strip was used to fix the upper edge of the sample nearest to the airbox to the surface of the metal plate.
4.Place the infrared thermocouple probe in the middle of the specimen, 1.0 cm ± 0.1 cm above the specimen. mark the centre of the metal plate to facilitate observation of the infrared thermocouple probe.
5.Switch on the recorder, lift the free end of the specimen (i.e., the side opposite the magnetic strip), and place 0.200mL ± 0.003mL of water on top of the infrared thermocouple probe and the metal plate below the specimen. The specimen is lowered to cover the water droplet. The instant the specimen comes into contact with the water is the start time.
6.Observe the specimen to determine the capillary effect caused by the water. Ensure that the water does not penetrate the edges of the specimen due to capillary action, otherwise replace the specimen with a larger one or reduce the amount of water used.
7.Collect and record the temperature every second until it returns to the initial value. Repeat for other specimens.
SmartDry Drying Rate Tester Test Procedure
1.Open the water tank cover, make sure the water is enough.
2.Connect the power cord to turn on the power. The preheating starts automatically when the instrument is switched on.
3.Open the operation cover, lay the sample flat in the test area, whose right is pressed tightly by the magnet-absorbing adhesive strips, then gently close the cover closed; (Note: the differences in the front and back of the sample and the pattern placement result in different test results).
4.Click "Mode" in the main interface to enter Test Setting interface, and modify the corresponding data according to the test requirements, including water dispensing mode, water volume, unit, equilibrium time, hot plate temperature, wind speed, etc. (Note: In automatic mode, the water is dispensed automatically according to the set value; In manual mode, water is injected manually, and the volume is controlled by the operator).
5.Select the number of samples to be tested in order to complete the whole set of tests.
6.Click "Run" and the test begins to simulate the human body sweating process to determine the drying rate of textiles; real-time view of the current data, including wind speed, hot plate temperature, infrared temperature is allowable; the hot plate temperature data line is recorded fully.
7.When all the samples of the same type are completed, click “Finish” (Note: click Finish button after the test ends, otherwise the next test cannot proceed). After “Finish” is pressed, the data in the current list box will be generated into the report list, and the data in the history list box will be cleared. Check the detailed data records in the report list.
8.After the test is completed, to enter the Report List interface,which shows the records stored, the information of samples and report data displayed in the report column. Click on the corresponding report column to enter the report for viewing the Detailed Report interface ,where the test records can be deleted.
The drying rate of performance textiles is usually defined as the ability of a fabric to dry quickly by air circulation or other means after absorbing moisture in a humid environment. This metric is often used to measure the moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties of a fabric to keep the wearer dry and comfortable. Common quick-drying fabrics will be characterised by good moisture absorption, fast perspiration and quick drying. Under the same external conditions, quick-drying clothing dries about 50% faster than ordinary cotton fabrics, so it is more comfortable to wear moisture-wicking quick-drying clothing than ordinary cotton fabrics during sports or outdoor activities.
How to calculate drying rate?
This SmartDry Quick Drying Tester completes the test of drying rate quickly in 10 minutes, then automatically calculate drying rate, and generate reports.
What are the types of quick dry fabric?
Polyester: It can quickly absorb sweat from the surface of the skin to the inside of the fabric and then evaporate quickly.
Nylon: has good breathability and moisture wicking properties, suitable for making sportswear and outdoor clothing.
Polyester: usually used to make a variety of quick-drying clothes and sportswear, with good moisture wicking performance and fast drying characteristics.
Polyester/Cotton: Polyester/Cotton blended fabrics combine the characteristics of polyester and cotton, with the comfort of cotton and the quick-drying properties of polyester, making them a common high drying rate fabric.
Spandex: Often added to athletic fabrics to improve stretch and comfort in clothing. Although spandex itself does not have strong moisture wicking ability, it helps the fabric fit better against the skin and speeds up the evaporation of sweat.
Ice silk: Specially used in sportswear, it adopts a special fibre structure and process with excellent moisture wicking performance and fast drying characteristics.
Is cooling fabric equal to comfort fabric?
Cooling fabrics can be a type of comfort fabric, but not all comfort fabrics have cooling properties. Comfort fabrics prioritize a wide range of qualities beyond just cooling, such as softness, stretch, or thermal insulation, depending on the intended use.
What is the AATCC test method 201?
The AATCC 201 Heated Plate Method is a standard test method used to assess the drying rate of fabrics. The method simulates the contact of the fabric with moisture in the air under actual wearing conditions, by setting the temperature at 37°C, the same temperature as the human body, by means of a contact heating plate to simulate sweating on the surface of the skin. The test is applicable to a wide range of fabric types, including knitted, woven and non-woven fabrics.
What is the difference between AATCC 201 and AATCC 200?
AATCC 201 uses air flow to measure drying rate, while AATCC 200 uses a heated plate, making them suitable for different real-world conditions and fabric applications.
What is quick dry?
Quick dry refers to a type of fabric or material designed to dry rapidly after being wet. This property is particularly desirable in clothing and textiles used for sports, outdoor activities, and in hot or humid environments.
What are the factors affecting the rate of drying in fabrics?
The rate of drying in fabrics is influenced by several factors, including the fabric composition, structure, and moisture content.
Synthetic fibers like polyester dry faster than natural fibers like cotton due to lower moisture absorption.
The weave or knit structure affects airflow, with looser weaves drying more quickly.
Environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, also play a crucial role; higher temperatures and lower humidity levels facilitate faster evaporation.
Increased airflow enhances drying rates by removing moisture from the fabric's surface, while greater surface area exposure accelerates drying.
Additionally, the thickness of the fabric and the drying method employed (air drying, tumble drying, or heated sources) significantly impact drying time.
How to interpret the drying rate curve?
Phases of Drying: The drying process typically consists of three distinct phases:
Initial Phase (Constant Rate Period): During this phase, the moisture content decreases rapidly, and the drying rate remains relatively constant. This occurs when the surface moisture evaporates, and the fabric has not yet reached its moisture equilibrium with the surrounding environment.
Transition Phase: The drying rate begins to decline as the moisture within the fabric starts to move from the interior to the surface. This phase indicates that the rate of evaporation is starting to slow down.
Final Phase (Falling Rate Period): In this phase, the drying rate significantly decreases as the moisture content approaches equilibrium. The moisture is primarily located in the interior of the fabric, and evaporation is limited by the diffusion of moisture to the surface.
Drying Rate: The slope of the drying rate curve represents the drying rate at different stages. A steeper slope indicates a higher drying rate, while a flatter slope indicates a slower drying rate. This can provide insights into the fabric's ability to release moisture
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