Method: Five fabrics were manufactured from the following yarns:
- Perino Alto (Blend -70% ZQ Merino 30% Brushtail Possum)
- Perino Cirrus (Blend - 40% Cashmere 40% Brushtail Possum 20% Mulberry Silk)
- Perino Nimbus (Blend - 65% ZQ Merino 25% Brushtail Possum 10% Mulberry Silk)
- 100% Cashmere
- 100% Merino
All yarns were 2/28NM and the fabrics were knitted to the same measurements using a 12-gauge Shima Seiki knitting machine, with the same single jersey knit structure and tension.
Thermal resistance was determined following ISO 11092:2014: Measurement of thermal and water-vapour resistance under steady-state conditions, where a sweating guarded hotplate was used to determine the thermal resistance of each fabric sample.
Result: Perino blends Alto, Cirrus and Nimbus were the most thermally resistant, exhibiting superior warmth per g of fabric and per mm of fabric thickness.
Fabric Blend
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Thermal Resistance (m2K/W)
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Perino Alto (Blend -70% ZQ Merino 30% Brushtail Possum)
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0.109
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Perino Cirrus (Blend - 40% Cashmere 40% Brushtail Possum 20% Mulberry Silk)
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0.11
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Perino Nimbus (Blend - 65% ZQ Merino 25% Brushtail Possum 10% Mulberry Silk)
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0.093
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100% Cashmere
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0.079
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100% Merino
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|
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0.063
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Perino Alto’s thermal resistance was approximately 73% greater than the 100% merino fabric and 38% greater than the 100% cashmere fabric.
Perino Cirrus’ thermal resistance was approximately 75% greater than the 100% merino fabric and 40% greater than the 100% cashmere fabric.
Perino Nimbus’ thermal resistance was approximately 48% greater than the 100% merino fabric and 18% greater than the 100% cashmere fabric.
* this research was carried out by Centro Tessile Cotoniero e Abbiglaimento S.p.A. in Italy. The same test was completed by the Clothing and Textiles Centre, University of Otago, New Zealand, on three fabric samples; Perino Cirrus blend, 100% Cashmere, and 100% Merino, and found Perino Cirrus to be the most thermally resistant.