Textile Science
What the domain tests
Textile Science tests how fabrics behave under force, moisture, heat, light and abrasion, and how standard tests predict garment performance. Expect questions on tensile and tear strength, pilling, drape, crease recovery, flammability, colour fastness and moisture regain.
Test logic
Tests are comparative and use standard conditions, commonly 20 °C and 65% relative humidity. Strength is reported dry and wet because cellulose loses strength when wet while polyester is little affected. Abrasion is counted in cycles to a defined end point; pilling is rated against photographic standards. Colour fastness is specific to the agency: light, washing, rubbing or perspiration.
Comfort and durability
Moisture regain is the water absorbed by a dry fibre at standard humidity. Cotton is about 8.5%, wool about 16%, polyester about 0.4%. Absorption is not the same as wicking, and wicking is not the same as air permeability. A fabric can be absorbent but slow-drying, or breathable but non-absorbent.
Worked example
A learner compares cotton jersey and polyester fleece for a physical education shirt. Cotton has high moisture regain and absorbs sweat, but it stays wet and clings; polyester has low regain but can wick liquid along capillaries and dries quickly. Reasoning: for high-sweat activity, a polyester knit or a cotton–polyester blend manages moisture better than 100% cotton, although polyester can retain odour. The choice depends on the performance property being prioritised, not on “natural” versus “synthetic” labels.
Traps
Do not treat breathability as moisture regain; do not generalise from one test to all wear; do not confuse colour fastness to light with fastness to washing; do not ignore fabric direction when comparing tear strength.