Design and Coupled Moisture–Thermal Transfer Simulation of Opposite Cross-Section Polyethylene Terephthalate Knitted Fabric with Hygroscopic Quick-Drying Capability

In addition to sportswear and outdoor equipment, moisture-absorbent quick-drying fabrics are also widely used in everyday clothing and home textiles. In this study, three types of weft-knitted fabrics were designed using Coolmax fiber and polypropylene fiber. The Coolmax/PP fabric exhibits good stretchability with a strain of 180.5% and achieves a high cumulative individual transfer capability of 691.6%, with a water absorption rate of 50.2%/s. The moisture conductivity gradient presented good moisture and heat conductivity in a simulated human body temperature environment using an infrared camera. Furthermore, mathematical modeling was constructed and visual simulation analysis was conducted to explore moisture–thermal transfer behavior. The simulation results closely align with experimental data, providing insights into designing flexible and wearable quick-drying fabrics for thermal management.