Characterization based on the thermal capabilities of metallized fabrics equipped with hybrid conductive yarns for protective clothing

Abstract

Electronic textiles are recognized for their conductive characteristics in various fields of research including medicine, communications, power and for the development of protective clothing. Out of the several types of conductive textile available, multi-component yarns and fabrics, produced from continuous copper filament as spiral covering on hybrid cover yarns, have never been investigated for their thermal capabilities. In this study, characterization based on the thermal properties for conventional copper core yarn’s fabric and newly developed copper cover yarn’s fabrics was carried out. The results demonstrate better conductivity of copper cover yarn’s fabrics as compared to the copper core conventional fabrics, which is attributed to its better conduction due to greater percentage of copper and direct contact between the heat flux transducers. With the higher porosity values for the newly developed fabric, the liquid water, water vapour and air transport capabilities, which are key aspects of thermal comfort, significantly improved.