Testing Standards for Cooling Fabrics

Do cooling fabrics truly make the wearer feel cool? How can this be determined? The national standard GB/T35263-2017, "Testing and Evaluation of the Instantaneous Cooling Properties of Textiles," provides a clear test method. This standard specifies methods for testing and evaluating the instantaneous cooling properties of textiles upon contact with the skin and is applicable to all types of fabrics and their products. The test principle involves placing a heat detection plate, at a higher temperature than the sample, in contact with the sample under specified test conditions. The temperature change of the heat detection plate over time is measured, and the contact cooling coefficient (qmax) is calculated to characterize the instantaneous cooling properties of the sample. The qmax coefficient is the maximum heat flux density during heat transfer between the heat detection plate and the sample, when the heat detection plate, at a specified temperature difference, is placed in contact with the sample under a certain pressure. A larger qmax value indicates a greater cooling sensation on the skin, while a smaller value indicates a lesser cooling sensation.