Thermophysiological comfort properties of woven fabrics produced from hybrid yarns containing copper wires

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the thermophysiological comfort behavior of fabrics based on copper wire that can be used for electro-textile applications. For this purpose, hybrid folding yarns were produced by twisting cotton/polyester yarn with copper wire. These electrically conductive hybrid yarns were then used to produce upholstery fabrics with different weave types as plain, 2/1 twill and sateen weave in three different density levels as tight, medium and loose. Thermophysiological comfort properties such as air permeability, thermal and water vapor properties of the hybrid fabrics were measured. In addition, the heat transfer properties of the fabrics were investigated with thermal camera videos, and porosity values were determined from microscope images. In this way, the main thermophysiological comfort properties of the basic electro-textile structures were revealed. According to the results obtained, it was found that the use of conductive wire in the fabric structure did not negatively affect the thermophysiological comfort properties of the fabrics, and fabric density was a determining parameter in relation to the thermophysiological comfort properties of the fabrics. The obtained results of this study may be used to improve the design of electro-textile structures taking into account the thermophysiological comfort.