To determine which fibre has the highest moisture regain under standard atmospheric conditions, we must understand the concept of moisture regain. Moisture regain refers to the percentage of moisture a fibre can absorb relative to its weight when in an equilibrium state under a given set of temperature and humidity conditions. It is an important factor in understanding the comfort, dyeability, and other properties of textile materials.
Let's analyze each option:
Cotton: Cotton is a natural cellulose fibre. It has a good moisture regain, typically around 7-8% under standard conditions. Cotton is highly breathable and comfortable to wear due to its moisture absorption properties.
Wool: Wool is a protein-based natural fibre. It has a significantly high moisture regain, approximately 14-18%. Wool fibres can absorb moisture up to about one-third of their weight, which makes them excellent in regulating temperature and offering high comfort.
Polyester: Polyester is a synthetic fibre. It generally has a very low moisture regain, less than 1%. This makes polyester hydrophobic and less comfortable in terms of moisture management compared to natural fibres like wool and cotton.
Nylon: Nylon is also a synthetic fibre, with a moisture regain of about 3-4%. It is better than polyester in terms of moisture absorption but still much lower than natural fibres like cotton and wool.
Given these analyses, wool has the highest moisture regain under standard atmospheric conditions among the listed fibres.
Fibre
Moisture Regain (%)
Cotton
7-8%
Wool
14-18%
Polyester
<1%
Nylon
3-4%
Thus, the correct answer is wool because it can absorb the most moisture, making it superior for certain textile applications where moisture management is crucial.
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