Functional fabrics are textiles with integrated functions of controlling

Functional fabrics are textiles with integrated functions of controlling or adjusting according to the area they are used in. These fabrics are often developed by using new fiber technology, weaving or dyeing technology and finishing technology. These fabrics are very important in our daily life since they meet people’s need for comfort, beauty, health and fashion. They are also very popular in sport and performance type of wear, such as sportswear and athleisure clothing. They are made of high-performance fibers and manufactured by using advanced weaving, dyeing and printing technologies.

The most commonly used functional fabrics include breathable and lightweight materials, such as polyester, polypropylene, viscose (rayon), etc. Some of them are treated to wick moisture away from the body, allowing sweat to evaporate quickly, while others provide insulation against the cold. They are usually designed for outdoor and active sportswear. The aerothermal technology, which protects the wearer from extreme hot or cold conditions, is one of the latest trends in functional textiles. Its applications are increasing significantly, especially in ski wear. 

In the future, smart fabric technology will further improve the function of functional textiles. The use of sensors can enable the functional textile to detect changes in its environment, such as temperature, strain or vibrations. Sensors can either be embedded within the yarn or be attached to the surface of the fabric. The integration of sensors in the functional textile can provide a great deal of added value for consumers.

Clothing comfort is an immediate demand both psychologically and physiologically for the human beings. It is very important especially for the functional textiles, which are mostly used for special purposes such as military, medical or sportswear. Therefore, it is necessary to design and manufacture comfortable smart fabrics for these purposes.

This study aims to develop an easy strategy for the subjective evaluation of handle sensations of functional fabrics. Tactile perceptions were performed by a panel of experts on blind and visual subjective evaluation scenarios. Pearson correlation coefficients between panelists were up to 96%, indicating strong agreement on their judgment. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the most important bipolar attributes that affect the overall hand value of the sample functional textile fabrics. The results showed that both BSE and VSE can be used as a complementary method for the judgment, prediction and control of the quality of functional fabrics. A comprehensive sensory profile presentation of the samples was demonstrated which could be very useful for smart fabric developers and manufacturers. This would allow the fabrics to be produced with a very high degree of user acceptance and comfort.