Development of Advanced Knitted Structures for Base Layer Clothing for Glacier Regions

Abstract

The principal objectives of the present work were to improve thermo-physiological comfort and other essential functional features of the existing material. Several important thermo-physiological comfort characteristics, such as thermal resistance, air permeability and water vapour permeability in addition to the other essential functional features like bursting strength, surface resistivity, ultraviolet (UV) radiation protection and colour fastness to washing and perspiration of the knitted fabrics, which were developed for application in glacier regions were evaluated. These evaluated properties are discussed and also compared with existing Base Layer Clothing (BLC) for the selection of the best material for up-gradation of the same for soldiers deployed in glacier regions. Statistical analysis is carried out at 95 % significance level for different functional features to establish the specific trend exhibited by the knitted fabrics. While the existing BLC is made of polypropylene knitted fabric, the improved versions proposed in the present study were developed with polyester/lycra and blend of polyester/lycra and polypropylene/lycra knitted fabrics, made in terry pile (uncut) knit design. The characterization of different yarns used in preparation of these newer and existing knitted structures was carried out by analyzing their respective FTIR spectrums. The knitted structure made with blend of polyester/lycra and polypropylene/lycra was found to be superior in terms of thermal insulation, warm/cool sensation, water vapour permeability and surface resistivity. Several prototypes of BLC with both existing and modified materials were also fabricated, evaluated and the same are proposed for User Trials to bring out unambiguously the valuable merits and demerits.