Protective Clothing Materials Research Articles

Enhancing Force Absorption, Stress-Strain and Thermal Properties of Weft-Knitted Inlay Spacer Fabric Structures for Apparel Applications.

The pursuit of materials that offer both wear comfort and protection for functional and protective clothing has led to the exploration of weft-knitted spacer structures. Traditional cushioning materials such as spacer fabrics and laminated foam often suffer from deformation under compression stresses, thus compromising their protective properties. This study investigates the enhancement of the force absorption, stress-strain, and thermal properties of weft-knitted spacer fabrics with inlays. Surface yarns with superior stretchability and thermal properties are used and combined with elastic yarns in various patterns to fabricate nine different inlay samples. The mechanical and thermal properties of these samples are systematically analyzed, including their compression, stretchability, thermal comfort, and surface properties. The results show that the inlay spacer fabric exhibits superior compression properties and thermal conductivity compared to traditional laminated foam and spacer fabrics while maintaining stretchability, thus providing better performance than traditional fabrics for protective clothing and wearable cushioning products. This study further confirms that the type of inlay yarn and inlay structure are crucial factors that significantly influence the thermal, tensile, and compressive properties of the fabric. This research provides valuable insights into the design and development of advanced textile structures to improve wear comfort and protection in close-fitting apparel applications.

Potential Penetration of Engineered Nanoparticles under Practical Use of Protective Clothing Fabrics.

The commercial application of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) has rapidly increased as their unique properties are useful to improve many products. ENPs, however, can pose a major health risk to workers through exposure routes such as inhalation and dermal contact. Research is lacking on the protective nature of lab coats when challenged with ENPs. This study investigated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon black (CB), and nano aluminum oxide (Al2O3) penetration through four types of lab coat fabrics (cotton, polypropylene, polyester cotton, and Tyvek). Penetration efficiency was determined with direct reading instruments. The front and back of contaminated fabric swatches were further assessed with microscopy analysis to determine fabric structure with contaminated and penetrated particle morphology and level of fabric contamination. Fabric thickness, porosity, structure, surface chemistry, and ENP characteristics such as shape, morphology, and hydrophobicity were assessed to determine the mechanisms behind particle capture on the four common fabrics. CNTs penetrated all fabrics significantly less than the other ENPs. CNT average penetration across all fabrics was 1.83% compared to 15.74 and 11.65% for CB and Al2O3, respectively. This can be attributed to their fiber shape and larger agglomerates than those of other ENPs. Tyvek fabric was found to be the most protective against CB and Al2O3 penetration, with an average penetration of 0.06 and 0.11%, respectively, while polypropylene was the least protective with an average penetration of 40.36 and 15.77%, respectively. Tyvek was the most nonporous fabric with a porosity of 0.50, as well as the most hydrophobic fabric, explaining the low penetration across all three ENPs. Polypropylene is the most porous fabric with a porosity of 0.77, making it the least protective against ENPs. We conclude that porosity, fabric structure, and thickness are more important fabric characteristics to consider when discussing particle penetration through protective clothing fabrics than surface chemistry.

Attaining Sustainable development by using Treatment with Titanium Dioxide to produce protective Clothing fabrics for Workers in the field of Self-Cleaning Inks

Attaining Sustainable development by using Treatment with Titanium Dioxide to produce protective Clothing fabrics for Workers in the field of Self-Cleaning Inks

The Effect of changes in Structural Compositions and Nanotechnology on the Functional Properties of fabrics for Protective Clothing for Construction Workers that resist U.V

The Effect of changes in Structural Compositions and Nanotechnology on the Functional Properties of fabrics for Protective Clothing for Construction Workers that resist U.V

INNOVATIVE TESTING STAND FOR CONTACT WITH FLAME - EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

One of the most important factors affecting the safety of firefighters is protection against heatwhile fighting a fire. Flame is considered the most dangerous phenomenon that can quickly causedamage to fire-resistant clothing and injury to a firefighter. The article presents testing methodsfor protective clothing. An innovative method of testing the impact of flame on protective clothingfabrics, developed at the State Fire Service Aspirants’ School in Krakow, was presented. The samplewas exposed to a flame from a burner powered by propane-butane gas. Temperature measurementswere executed with a thermal imaging camera Flir T430sc and K-type thermocouples, and thetime to reach the so-called pain threshold (temperature 60C) by a person wearing protectiveclothing. The tests were carried out on material samples of fabrics produced by ANDROPOL withreflective layers of nanocomposites applied and subjected to impregnation.

A Multifunctional Approach to Optimizing Woven Fabrics for Thermal Protective Clothing

This paper presents a detailed exploration of the development and characterization of multifunctional dual-purpose woven fabrics for thermal protective clothing. Through this research, 69 woven fabric prototypes have been carefully designed and produced, integrating various raw materials, yarn, and woven fabric construction parameters, with the aim of optimizing thermal protection properties while ensuring comfort and durability. The analysis led to the identification of two optimal woven fabric samples, which, upon further testing, exhibited exceptional dimensional stability, crease recovery, tear resistance, as well as abrasion and water resistance. Furthermore, the thermal properties were evaluated, demonstrating exceptional flame resistance, limited heat transmission, and high thermal insulation. Additionally, the study evaluated dynamic thermal properties, contact conductive heat transfer, air permeability, water vapour resistance, and thermal resistance of two clothing systems constructed from selected woven fabrics. Statistical analysis confirms significant differences between clothing systems, highlighting the influence of yarn composition and fabric structure on thermal performance and comfort, where one system exhibits better thermal insulation characteristics suitable for colder environments while the other excels in breathability for warmer climates. The developed woven fabrics meet high standards for protective clothing against heat and flame, surpassing currently available comparable woven fabrics on the market in terms of efficacy and performance. This research provides insights into the intricate balance between protection, comfort, and durability of woven fabrics, contributing to advancements in protective textile technology.

The Structure and Properties of Medical Disposable Protective Clothing Materials with Different Packaging and Models under γ Irradiation

AbstractThis study investigated the radiation effects of commercially available medical disposable protective clothing materials under γ irradiation. FT‐IR, contact angle, DSC, OIT, and mechanical properties were used to examine the radiation effects of medical disposable protective clothing materials. The results showed when the radiation dose was less than or equal to 50 kGy, the FT‐IR spectra did not show any changes. However, when the radiation dose reached 70 kGy, new absorption peaks appeared in the infrared spectra of the TS−A and TS−B medical disposable protective clothing materials, indicating chemical changes. Contact angle analysis showed that medical disposable protective clothing materials were hydrophobic and had higher hydrophobicity on the inside than the outside under different packaging and irradiation conditions. Rheological analysis showed that the shear thinning phenomenon of medical disposable protective clothing materials increased significantly with the increase of radiation dose, and good rheological behavior was observed under vacuum packaging conditions when the radiation dose was 30 kGy. The crystallinity and initial crystallization temperature showed the order of vacuum, nitrogen, and air. The oxidation induction time trend was vacuum>nitrogen>air, while the fracture strength trend was nitrogen>vacuum>air. The mechanical properties met the national standard.

Investigation of the influence of the environment on the electrical properties of textile clothing materials

Investigation that Elevated levels of static electricity build-up on the surfaces of work clothes, different technological structures, and polymeric materials can cause disruptions to the techno-bio system, resulting in adverse physiological effects in humans, accidents caused by humans, and environmental disasters. Under conditions of low temperatures, electrostatic charge on polymeric materials is intensively generated. Synthetic materials have an increased ability to electrify. The processes were studied the mechanisms of the occurrence of a electricity an polymer materials of clothing in winter. The logical structure of the model of the formation of an electrostatic field on the surface of polymer materials of objects in environmental conditions during a snowstorm has been developed. A set of materials for experimental thermal protective clothing was investigated. The findings from the investigation into the process of electrification in the layers of materials used to make thermally protective clothing are gathered and given. As follows from the graphs, the limiting value of the electrostatic field strength can occur already with an external field of 15000 V/m. The formation of charges is facilitated by the physical conditions of the snowstorm electrification in the system of polymer structures.

STUDY OF THE AIR PERMEABILITY INDICATOR OF A PACKAGE OF MATERIALS OF THERMAL CLOTHING FOR CHILDREN WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF CP

This article reports the results of breathability tests on upper materials, nonwoven insulation materials, lining materials, and material packs. The importance of air permeability values for packages of materials of thermal protective clothing for children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) is substantiated. Objects and methods for studying the air permeability of materials are defined and described. The method according to State Standard ISO 9237–2013 was used to assess the properties of air permeability of materials. A method for calculating the predicted values of the air permeability of packages of materials is also given. The article analyses the results of air permeability of packages of materials obtained both theoretically and experimentally. The article compares the values of the air permeability of the packages of materials with the previous study of the packages of materials on the total thermal resistance. Conclusions are drawn about the requirements for air permeability of packages of materials for thermal protective clothing for children with cerebral palsy.

Highly breathable and durable waterproof polyimide electrospun nanofibrous membrane for potential reusable protective clothing application: Preparation, characterization and performance

The quest for a highly breathable protective clothing with good barrier performance is rapidly rising, especially in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. However, commercial protective clothing usually experiences trade-off between air permeability and barrier performance. Herein, a highly breathable and durable polyimide (PI)-based protective clothing material with good barrier performance was fabricated by electrospinning. The structure of PI electrospun nanofibrous membranes (PI-ENMs) was optimized in terms of mechanical strength, filtration efficiency and air permeability. The results showed that the PI-ENM with 500 nm diameter prepared by electrospinning for 4 h had high filtration efficiency (96.13 %), low pressure drop (57.1 Pa) and high-quality factor (0.057 Pa-1). The optimized PI-ENM had a high bacterial filtration efficiency of 99.48 %, which meant that it would possess good microbial barrier performance in practical applications. Due to the low air resistance, the PI-ENM demonstrated a high air permeability of 265.44 mm s−1, which was 40–160 times that of commercial protective clothing. An ultra-thin layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was coated on the thermal stable PI-ENMs via chemical vapor deposition to obtain PI-ENM@PDMSs, of which the fire resistance was further enhanced without compromising filtration efficiency and resistance. Moreover, the PI-ENM@PDMSs exhibited strong hydrophobicity, robust mechanical strength, and excellent stability, and can be easily reused via common sterilization methods without impacting its protection performance. Therefore, PI-ENM@PDMSs is a promising candidate for reusable breathable protective clothing.

Comparing the mechanical properties of single and double layer 100% cotton denim fabrics for motorcycle protective clothing

India has one of the highest rates of motorcycle accidents in the world. Protective clothing is required for motorcyclists in India since it can lessen the severity of injuries sustained in an accident. The purpose of this research is to examine the performance of single and double layers of denim fabrics developed. Focusing on the potential use in motorcycle protective clothing, 100% cotton single-layer (SL) fabrics with masses ranging from 370, 390, 410, 430, and 450 g/m2 are developed. The 100% cotton single-layer (SL) fabrics are taken as double layers (DL) for testing and analysis. Both single and double-layer fabrics were tested for physical properties and mechanical properties such as tensile, tear strength, and abrasion resistance. Overall performances of double-layer (DL) fabrics were superior compared to that of single-layer fabrics since double-layer fabrics contain two layers of fabrics to withstand stress and tear, and also provide better abrasion resistance.

Manufacturing and Properties of Various Ceramic-Embedded Composite Fabrics for Protective Clothing in Gas and Oil Industries Part II: Thermal Wear Comfort via Thermal Manikin

Thermal wear comfort for workwear clothing plays a vital role in maintaining comfortable water- and moisture-vapor-permeable properties while wearing clothing. In particular, thermal wear comfort measured using a thermal manikin is required in the protective workwear clothing market because their use provides objective data concerning the actual wearing performance of the clothing. This paper investigated the thermal wear comfort properties of various ceramic-embedded composite fabrics for workwear clothing worn in gas and oil industries produced from new schemes. The thermal insulation rate (Clo value) of Al2O3(Aluminum oxide)/graphite, ZnO(zinc oxide)/ZrC(zirconium carbide) and ZnO/ATO(antimony tin oxide)-embedded clothing was greater (25.5, 24.7 and 16.9%, respectively) than that of regular clothing (control), which was in accordance with the results (15.0, 13.8 and 11.3% higher, respectively) of the heat retention rate (I) of fabric specimens. It revealed that ZnO- and ATO-embedded yarns mixed with ZrC particles enhanced thermal wear comfort and had superior anti-static and UV-protective properties. Considering UV-protective and anti-static protective clothing worn in gas and oil industries and cold weather regions, it can be concluded that ZnO/ZrC-incorporated fabric is suitable because it showed superior thermal wear comfort with excellent UV-protective and acceptable anti-static properties. Meanwhile, assuming high functional performance for protective clothing worn in winter and factories, ZnO/ATO-incorporated fabric is pertinent to fabricating protective clothing for cold weather regions.

Manufacturing and Properties of Various Ceramic Embedded Composite Fabrics for Protective Clothing in Gas and Oil Industries Part I: Anti-Static and UV Protection with Thermal Radiation

Protective clothing in gas and oil industries requires high-performance characteristics, with superior anti-static and ultraviolet (UV) protection and good thermal wear comfort in cold weather regions. This study examined the manufacturing and properties of various ceramic-embedded composite fabrics made from a new scheme (not a coating method) for protective clothing in the gas and oil industries. Therefore, sheath–core yarn specimens embedded with various ceramics, such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3)–graphite, zinc oxide–zirconium (ZnO–ZrC), and zinc oxide–antimony tin oxide (ZnO–ATO) were produced using a bi-component melt spinning machine, which is a novel method that was not tried before. Fabric specimens were also made from these ceramic-embedded sheath–core yarn specimens. UV-protection and anti-static properties of the ceramic-embedded composite specimen were compared with the thermal radiation and far-infrared (FIR) characteristics. The UV-protection factor (UPF) was measured according to the AS/NZ 4399 (1996) standard. ATLAS measuring equipment was used to analyze five duplicate specimens (4 × 8 cm). An anti-static assessment was also conducted using the JIS L 1094 standard method. A light heat emission apparatus was used to assess thermal radiation. A 10 × 10 cm specimen was prepared, and five duplicate assessments were conducted. Statistical analysis (F-test) was performed to verify the statistical significance of the experimental data with a 99% confidence limit. The ZnO–ATO-embedded composite fabric exhibited greater UV protection than the Al2O3–graphite-embedded and regular (control) specimen, indicating the excellent UV-protection property of the ZnO. In addition, the ZnO–ATO-embedded composite specimen exhibited excellent anti-static properties with lower rub-static voltage than the control fabric, which was attributed to the better electrical conductivity of ATO particles. In particular, the ZnO–ZrC-embedded composite specimen showed superior thermal radiation with excellent UPF and relatively good anti-static characteristics. Based on the high-performance characteristics of protective clothing worn in gas and oil industries, ZnO–ATO-embedded composite fabric has practical use for fabricating workwear protective clothing. In addition, considering protective clothing suitable for cold weather, ZnO–ZrC-embedded composite fabric is useful for protective clothing in cold weather regions.

Comparative analysis of polyimide and aramid fabrics as arc protective materials

Arc explosion accidents in live working seriously threaten the safety of power workers. At present, the mainstream arc protective clothing material is aramid and blends of aramid. However, aramid will produce toxic gas under high temperature combustion, which is harmful to the health of operators. Therefore, it is a special challenge to study fabrics that are friendly to the human body and have a highly protective performance to protect electrical workers. Polyimide is nontoxic and has excellent high temperature resistance, flame retardation, and mechanical properties. In this paper, polyimide was proposed to be used as an arc protective clothing material. In order to explore the feasibility of polyimide in the field of arc protection, molecular dynamics simulation was used to compare the heat resistance of polyimide and aramid in terms of bond order and glass transition temperature. Referring to ASTM F1959 and IEC 61482-1-1, an arc test apparatus was built to test the protective properties of materials. The protection failure mechanism was analyzed by comparing the safety protective performance of polyimide and aramid fabric under the arc. It was found that polyimide has better arc thermal protective performance and break open threshold. The simulation and test results show that polyimide can be used as a material for arc protective clothing to improve protective performance.

Polyimide/wool blended woven fabrics for comfortable fire protective clothing

AbstractIn this work, to develop practical fire‐protective clothing with both good flame retardancy and comfort properties, polyimide (PI)/wool blended woven fabrics were carefully made by mixing PI and wool fibers with different mass ratios (100/0, 80/20, 50/50, and 0/100) in the carding process. Thermogravimetric analysis in both air and argon conditions indicated that wool fibers had much lower thermal stability than PI. With more PI fibers added, better thermal stability can be observed. When the mixing ratio of PI/wool was 80/20, the LOI value had a rapid increase from 23% to 31%. Meanwhile, under this ratio, the peak value of the heat release rate surprisingly reduced to a much lower degree (from 425 to 306 W/g), indicating the heat generated is dispersed along the whole burning process. Through comprehensive analysis, it is deduced that the thin molten layer of wool and PI fibers formed a confined space for the heat and volatiles, leading to lower heat release rate and higher non‐flammable gas release of the 80/20 PI/wool sample. Finally, the moisture permeability and fabric style tests demonstrated better comfort properties of the PI/wool blended fabrics.

Hybrid Systems of Nanofibers and Polymeric Nanoparticles for Biological Application and Delivery Systems.

Nanomedicine is a new discipline resulting from the combination of nanotechnology and biomedicine. Nanomedicine has contributed to the development of new and improved treatments, diagnoses, and therapies. In this field, nanoparticles have notable importance due to their unique properties and characteristics, which are useful in different applications, including tissue engineering, biomarkers, and drug delivery systems. Electrospinning is a versatile technique used to produce fibrous mats. The high surface area of the electrospun mats makes them suitable for applications in fields using nanoparticles. Electrospun mats are used for tissue engineering, wound dressing, water-treatment filters, biosensors, nanocomposites, medical implants, protective clothing materials, cosmetics, and drug delivery systems. The combination of nanoparticles with nanofibers creates hybrid systems that acquire properties that differ from their components' characteristics. By utilizing nanoparticles and nanofibers composed of dissimilar polymers, the two synergize to improve the overall performance of electrospinning mats and nanoparticles. This review summarizes the hybrid systems of polymeric nanoparticles and polymeric nanofibers, critically analyzing how the combination improves the properties of the materials and contributes to the reduction of some disadvantages found in nanometric devices and systems.

Hydrostatic Penetration Testing of Protective Glove Materials Using Water and Synthetic Blood to Evaluate Hole Size and Screen Mesh Using an Automated Pressure Delivery System.

There are several international standards that address the resistance of chemical protective clothing materials to the penetration by liquids. The hydrostatic pressure has been documented to discriminate between protective clothing material performance and correlates with visual penetration results that are obtained with human factors validation. The same methodology, based on hydrostatic pressure equipment, is referenced also in other standards addressing penetration resistance of protective clothing and glove materials against synthetic blood or blood-borne pathogens. In this study, we present an automated hydrostatic penetration testing that integrates testing procedures from several standards to evaluate the resistance of materials to penetration by liquids under pressure. The automated control system allows the user to select a specific test method and automatically sets a stepped pressurization protocol to test the material. A pass or a fail result is produced at a certain time and pressure. As an example of application, the penetration of synthetic blood was assessed through gloves made from different materials with ISO 16603, method B, one of the five possible penetration methods and protocols available in the test equipment. The results indicate that the developed system facilitates the application of test methods used to evaluate the barrier effectiveness against liquids of materials used for protective clothing and gloves and show up that the characteristics of the retention grid used have a decisive influence on the test results. In some of the tested glove materials, holes were intentionally performed with needles with different gauges. The capacity of pinhole detection in gloves was evaluated according to the test method selected and compared with results obtained with the classic water leak test method for gloves described in EN ISO 374-2.

Prediction of γ-ray shielding performance and study of Bi/PU coated fabric

The radiation shielding simulation model of coated fabric (flexible composite) was established for the first time by SuperMC nuclear simulation software to help solve the problems of small volume, complex structure, and difficult design of flexible shielding materials, and the γ-ray shielding performance was calculated. Bismuth/polyurethane coated fabric was prepared by a coating method, and its scanning electron microscope, γ-ray shielding performance and mechanical properties were tested. The results show that the simulation accuracy was improved due to the one-to-one correspondence between the structural parameters and performance parameters of the simulation model and the actual samples. The simulation value was in good agreement with the measured value. The shielding performance and mechanical properties of fabric composites were improved after coating. Increasing the content of bismuth and coating thickness can improve the shielding performance of the coated fabric. However, when the content of bismuth was too large, or the coating was too thick, the mechanical properties were relatively decreased. The deposition of ray energy in the material was analyzed by the visual analysis method, and the influence mechanism of process parameters on shielding performance was further revealed, which provided a new theoretical reference for the design of flexible shielding materials. A shielding material design and performance prediction method based on SuperMC is proposed, which can be used for personalized customization design and performance prediction and evaluation before use. It has practical guiding significance for producing and manufacturing flexible fabric shielding materials for protective clothing and equipment.

Novel materials for low-risk category personal protective clothing for industrial workwear used in hot workplace environments: improved thermal and moisture management attributes

Personal protective clothing (PPC) is required in a variety of sectors and is important from both a safety and a thermal management standpoint. Materials used in PPC play a key role in protection. Extensive research has been conducted on the risk variables that lead to thermal load and the corresponding functional properties of PPC, particularly in high-risk categories. In contrast, despite the fact that employees who wear this type of PPC constitute a major fraction of the industrial workforce, relatively little study has been undertaken on PPC materials in low-risk categories and their thermal management properties. For this study, four new PPC materials were specifically engineered to have improved thermal attributes and were compared with four existing PPC materials of equivalent protection levels, as well as four summer-season civilian materials, to determine the most suitable materials for use in hot outdoor environments. We investigated and compared the thermal management properties of these novel materials, including liquid moisture transfer, thermal and water vapor resistance, and air permeability, to those of current materials used in low-risk PPC as well as civilian materials. The results demonstrated that the new PPC materials had improved thermal and vapor resistance; superior liquid moisture transfer properties; higher air permeability; and were lower in mass and thickness than the existing PPC materials. Furthermore, the new materials compared favorably with the civilian materials in a number of these attributes. The new materials should be included in low-risk PPC designed for use in hot outdoor conditions.

Thermal Insulation of Protective Clothing Materials in Extreme Cold Conditions

BackgroundThermophysiological comfort in a cold environment is mainly ensured by clothing. However, the thermal performance and protective abilities of textile fabrics may be sensitive to extreme environmental conditions. This article evaluated the thermal insulation properties of three technical textile assemblies and determined the influence of environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, and wind speed) on their insulation capacity. MethodsThermal insulation capacity and air permeability of the assemblies were determined experimentally. A sweating-guarded hotplate apparatus, commonly called the “skin model,” based on International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 11092 standard and simulating the heat transfer from the body surface to the environment through clothing material, was adopted for the thermal resistance measurements. ResultsIt was found that the assemblies lost about 85% of their thermal insulation with increasing wind speed from 0 to 16 km/h. Under certain conditions, values approaching 1 clo have been measured. On the other hand, the results showed that temperature variation in the range (−40°C, 30°C), as well as humidity ratio changes (5 g/kg, 20 g/kg), had a limited influence on the thermal insulation of the studied assemblies. ConclusionThe present study showed that the most important variable impacting the thermal performance and protective abilities of textile fabrics is the wind speed, a parameter not taken into account by ISO 11092.