Quantitative Research on Thermal Performance of Ready-To-Wear Apparel Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process Model

Abstract

This work primarily focuses on quantifying the thermal insulation ability of fibers through modeling. The study establishes a comprehensive insulation evaluation index (CWI) with six variables derived from three dimensions: thermal conductivity, air content and structural properties, humidity, and permeability. The normalized weights of each variable are calculated using the Analytic Hierarchy Process model. The consistency ratio (CR) of pairwise comparison matrices is significantly less than 1, indicating good consistency in the pairwise comparison model. Additionally, the relationship between the thermal insulation performance of polyester fibers and their average length and diameter is considered. By analyzing how the parameters in the model are influenced by fiber length and diameter, adjustments are made to the model parameters. The conclusion is drawn that fibers with shorter average length and smaller diameter tend to have stronger thermal insulation performance. Finally, the microstructure of cotton and down feathers is studied to further refine the model parameters, and it is determined that down feathers exhibit the best thermal insulation performance, followed by polyester and cotton, with no significant difference between the latter two. The aim of this paper is to address the gap in previous research regarding the quantitative analysis of fiber thermal insulation capabilities. By accurately assessing the thermal insulation effects of fibers filled within garments, this study provides a scientific basis for clothing design and material selection.