Comfort testing

Comfort is a concept that often is associated with a subjective experience, however at RISE we have the means of quantifying a series of physical properties that together contribute to the experienced comfort of a product.

We perform measurements according to existing methods but also develop new test methods for specific purposes. We also offer help with consultation and product development for products where comfort is an essential property, contact us to find out more. Our offers within the comfort area can be split into the following categories:

Thermal properties
Moisture related properties
Pressure distribution properties

Thermal properties

The heat transport characteristics of a material or product are central when it comes to perceived comfort and are normally crucial for the body’s ability for optimal temperature regulation. RISE offers test methods for both textile materials and products, including clothes, furniture, and leisure products.

We perform measurements of thermal properties according to the following test methods:

ISO 11092:2014, Measurement of thermal and water-vapour resistance under steady-state conditions.
ISO 15831:2004, Clothing - Physiological effects - Measurement of thermal insulation by means of a thermal manikin.
Measurement of heat flow properties in furniture with heated indentor.

Moisture related properties

The extent of moisture transport affects how warm or cool items such as clothes, bed covers or sleeping bags are experienced by the user. Normally it is desirable that a material that is close to the body offers a low vapour resistance (it is sometimes said that such materials “breathe”). A limited degree of moisture transport makes it more difficult for sweat to evaporate from the skin which counteracts the natural cooling mechanism of the body and can also lead to local discomfort caused by moist material against the skin. There are also examples of applications where moisture transport is supposed to bee hindered. Among these are some types of protective clothes and some medical products.

We perform measurements of moisture related properties according to the following methods:

ISO 11092:2014, Measurement of thermal and water-vapour resistance under steady-state conditions.
Measurement of moisture transport properties (microclimate) for beds, mattresses, pads, etc. with a sweating indentor.
ISO 15496:2018: Measurement of water vapour permeability of textiles for the purpose of quality control.
Measurement of microclimate properties with human test subjects.
AATCC 195-2011: Liquid Moisture Management Properties of Textile Fabrics

Pressure distribution properties of beds, mattresses, and seating furniture

A major part of the experienced comfort of a mattress, bed or piece of seating furniture is its ability to distribute the pressure it exercises upon the user. In many cases it is this property that is primarily noted when someone lies down or takes a seat on a new underlay. The ability to distribute pressure is however not only a comfort related issue but also a health related one as it affects the risk of developing pressure ulcers for users.

The pressure distribution related properties of mattresses and beds are evaluated at RISE according to the standard SS 8760013: Determination of contact pressure on mattresses, beds, and other underlay. We also offer pressure measurements with the help of human test subjects for beds, mattresses, and seating furniture.