Heat Retention
Heat retention 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
Thermal retention is a function added to apparel textiles that temporarily retains heat received from external sources and releases it when the surrounding temperature drops. It may be expressed not only through the inherent properties of the fiber itself, but also through processing that contains functional particles or through layered construction.
Thermal retention should be distinguished from insulation, which comes simply from the textile being thick or containing a lot of air. However, the actual warmth felt when worn is affected not only by thermal retention, but also by textile thickness, density, lining, quilt batting, and layering.
Features
Thermal-retention textiles are expected to use heat received outdoors during the day or in heated environments to moderate temperature changes in situations where people are likely to feel cold. The amount and duration of heat retention vary depending on the strength of the heat source, the wearing environment, and the material composition.
Appearance and texture are not determined by thermal retention alone. There is a wide range, from lightweight textiles to brushed items, knits, and woven fabrics, and depending on the processing method, hardness, luster, slipperiness, and breathability may change. Checking the actual product is important.
Main Applications
It is used for autumn and winter inner layers, cut-and-sew items, shirts, pants, jackets, and outerwear. It is also considered for commuter wear that moves between outdoor and indoor settings, as well as sports and outdoor applications where both insulation and ease of movement are desired.
In designs that use sunlight, the perceived warmth changes depending on the exposed areas of the garment, the color of the outer fabric, and whether layers are worn. When adopting it as cold-weather wear, confirm not only thermal retention but also the combination with wind resistance, insulation, and moisture permeability according to the intended application.
Selection and Handling Notes
When selecting, check the thermal-retention mechanism, test conditions, post-wash performance retention, fabric weight, thickness, and stretchability in the specification sheet or swatch. Because the feeling of warmth varies from person to person, wearing tests at the planning stage help in judging the finished result.
Shrinkage and dimensional changes are affected not by the presence or absence of thermal-retention functions, but by the base fabric's fibers, structure, and finish. Before cutting, consider boiling or straightening the grain as needed, and follow the care label and processing conditions for each textile for washing, drying, and ironing.
Textiles with resin processing or surface finishing require attention to needle holes, presser marks, and changes in texture caused by heat during sewing. To avoid seam puckering and seam slippage, confirm the needle size, thread, and feed conditions through trial sewing before mass production.
Differences from Similar Terms
Moisture-absorbing heat generation is a function that uses the heat generated mainly when moisture is adsorbed, and the way it obtains heat differs from thermal retention, which retains and releases heat received from outside. Some textiles combine both functions, so confirm the basis for the function, not just the label.
Insulation is a general term for the performance that makes it harder for warmed air and body heat inside clothing to escape. Brushed backing is a surface or reverse-side finish that makes it easier to obtain insulation through the air layer created by raised fibers. Thermal retention is a function related to the inflow and outflow of heat and is not the same term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are thermal-retention textiles the same as moisture-absorbing heat-generating textiles?
No, they are not the same. Thermal retention is the idea of retaining and releasing heat received from sunlight, the surrounding environment, or the human body, while moisture-absorbing heat generation uses the heat produced when moisture is adsorbed. However, some textiles use both functions, so check the individual function descriptions and test conditions.
Do thermal-retention textiles lose their function after washing?
The durability of the function varies depending on the specifications, such as whether the functional material is blended into the fiber or applied as a post-process finish. It is important to check changes according to the number of washes and handle the item in accordance with the care label. Before mass production, also confirm the texture, shrinkage rate, and appearance after washing tests.
Can thermal-retention textiles alone be used for cold-weather wear?
Thermal retention alone cannot determine cold-weather performance. In cold environments, warmth is also affected by the outer fabric's wind resistance, the air layer created by the lining and quilt batting, the ease of the garment's fit, and how well cold air is kept from entering through the cuffs and hem. Build the garment according to the expected temperature, activity level, and wearing time.
