Effect of fabric-skin frictional force and temperature on surface roughness and wetness perception

Preliminary studies have demonstrated that reducing material temperature enhances the wetness perception and decreases the friction coefficient during skin-material interactions. However, the effects of changes in frictional force due to temperature variations on wetness perception, and the effects of contact temperature on surface roughness perception during active dynamic interactions between skin and fabrics remain poorly investigated. This study recruited 12 participants (6 females and 6 males) to touch dry fabrics at different contact temperatures (8, 16, and 24 °C) to obtain frictional force, surface roughness, and wetness perception scores. Each participant was asked to complete 45 assessments: 3 contact temperatures (8, 16, and 24 °C) × 5 fabric types (cotton, silk, wool, flax, and jute) × 3 repetitions. The results suggested that the surface roughness perception decreased while the wetness perception increased with lower contact temperatures, the fabric type significantly influenced the perception, but there is no significant correlation between frictional force and wetness perception. This study enhances the understanding of thermal modulation in perception, providing valuable insights for designing healthcare textile products that minimize skin damage and improve comfort during prolonged contact.