Comparisons of Thermal and Evaporative Resistances of Kapok Coats and Traditional Down Coats

The main aim of this paper is to contribute to finding a good solution to the ethical problem of live plucking. The use of new eco-environmental kapok fibres as a coat filler substitute for traditional duckling down was reported. The physical structures of kapok fibre were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal and evaporative resistance properties of twelve sets of traditional duckling down coats and kapok coats were measured and compared using a novel sweating thermal manikin called "Walter". The results showed that there are no significant statistical differences in thermal and evaporative resistances among traditional duckling down coats and kapok coats. It was also found that there is the best mix rate of material and air trapped inside, which provides the best thermal resistance for the coat. Finally, we proposed that kapok fibres be used as a coat filling to lower the product price. Most importantly, the use of kapok fibre results in as good thermal and evaporative resistances of a coat as with traditional duckling down.