Abstract
Composite textile materials, created from a blend of different fibers, have long been used to engineer the properties and performance of fabrics to combine comfort with functionality, such as to create materials with differing optical properties. Some changes to the optical properties of materials in the infrared are subtle and difficult to measure. We present a measurement technique, experimental apparatus, and associated data analysis procedure for detecting small changes in the emissivity of fabrics in the mid-infrared wavelength range (7.5-14 µm). Using this technique, we demonstrate that the emissivity of polyester fabric can be engineered controllably via the inclusion of ceramic microparticles within the fabric fibers.
Highlights
Optical properties of textile fibers can be modified by incorporating a large variety of dyes and other additives, varying the fiber cross-sectional shape, or co-spinning of multi-materials [1,2]
We present a measurement technique, experimental apparatus, and associated data analysis procedure for detecting small changes in the emissivity of fabrics in the mid-infrared wavelength range (7.5–14 μm)
While this has been extensively studied for optical properties in the visible region, less has been published on the optical properties of fabrics and other engineered fibrous structures in the infrared regime
Summary
Optical properties of textile fibers can be modified by incorporating a large variety of dyes and other additives, varying the fiber cross-sectional shape, or co-spinning of multi-materials [1,2]. In the work presented in this article, the infrared optical effects resulting from incorporation of ceramic particles within polyester fibers utilized in textile fabrics were studied. Non-ideal emitters, such as the fabric samples in this study, have an emissivity of 0 < < 1 , which may vary with temperature and wavelength. If the ranges of wavelengths and temperatures under investigation are narrow compared to the spectral variability of the object, a useful approximation is to assume that the object is a grey body and exhibits a temperaturedependent radiance given by. Manipulation of an object’s emissivity enables the total radiated power of an object at a given temperature to be varied. We approximate textile fabrics as grey body emitters and test this assumption over temperature ranges of interest. We observed a statistically significant positive correlation between the amount of ceramic-bearing fibers added to the fabric and the increase in emissivity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
