6 - Advances in ultraviolet (UV) ray blocking textiles

Abstract

Textiles can provide simple and effective protection from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation because they are able to reflect, absorb, and scatter the wavelengths of the sun. Depending on the type of structure of the textiles (structure, porosity, thickness, and mass per unit area), type of fibers (natural or man-made), color, water retention in fibers and fabrics, textile finishing agents and processes, use and care of protective textiles, and the presence of UV absorbers and reflective materials, the relationship between these factors changes. When UV radiation strikes a textile surface, some of the radiation is reflected off the boundaries of the textile surface. Another portion of the radiation is absorbed and converted into another form of energy (heat) as it penetrates the textiles. The remaining part of the radiation passes through the textiles and reaches the skin in the case of clothing or the shielded object in the case of protective textiles; this part is called transmission. Well-designed UV protective textiles and clothing made of materials with suitable properties can significantly reduce the UV radiation reaching the shielded surface. The optimal combination of thickness, fabric mass per unit area, fabric structure, as well as material composition, yarn type, and yarn linear density enables the production of textiles with high UV protection properties. In the field of technical textiles, UV protection properties are most important for so-called AgroTech, BuildTech, GeoTech, MobilTech, and SporTech products. Indirectly, by providing information about the level of UV exposure, wearable technologies present additional UV protection options. As with textiles and clothing for other applications, UV protection is only one important element of multifunctionality.