Analysis of thermal comfort properties of fabrics for protective applications

Protective clothing protects the body from external influence like heat, chemicals, mechanical hazards, bad weather, etc. by shielding the human body from harsh environmental effects. The maintenance of thermal balance is one of the most important aspects of protective clothing. The study aims to investigate the thermal comfort properties of woven hybrid fabrics produced with high performance core spun yarns. For this purpose, meta-aramid, e-glass, Technora® and Dyneema® fibres were combined using core yarn spinning method in order to enhance the protective performance characteristics. The effects of the core/sheath ratio and type of core materials on the thermal comfort characteristics were investigated and evaluated statistically. The results revealed that, core/sheath ratio, types of core materials have significant effects on thermal comfort characteristics of the fabrics. As the core ratio increases from 19 to 56%, the air permeability of the fabrics increases whereas their thermal conductivity and thermal absorptivity properties decrease. Meta-aramid/E-glass core fabrics can be preferable for protective clothing due to high air permeability and thermal conductivity values.     

An investigation of thermal comfort properties of Abaya woven fabrics

Abaya is a traditional Muslim woman’s outer garment. It is black in colour, and must be worn over the normal day-to-day clothing according to Islamic law. It is mandatory to wear Abaya in Arabian Gulf countries irrespective of the outside environmental temperature, which can be up to 50°C. Having many layers of clothing including Abaya makes it extremely uncomfortable for the wearer in a hot environment. Thermal comfort performance is, therefore, essential for fabrics used for Abaya. This study investigated some commercially available woven Abaya fabrics for thermal resistance, air permeability, thermal comfort, vapour resistance and fabric structural and surface properties. The results indicated that the Abaya fabrics with different weave structures, fibre composition and fabric weight have greater influence on the fabric thermal comfort performance.     

Thermo-physiological comfort characteristics of polyester air-jet-textured and cotton-yarn fabrics

Air-jet-textured polyester yarns were produced using two feed yarns differing in filament fineness and number of filaments. By varying the overfed rates of feed yarns and changing their positions in core and effect, five textured yarns were produced. Woven fabrics were prepared using these textured yarns as weft and cotton yarns in warp. To study the effect of air-jet-texturing parameters on the thermo-physiological comfort characteristics of fabric, the woven fabrics were tested for thickness, thermal properties, transverse wicking and air permeability. It is observed that thermal conductivity and resistance of fabrics are not influenced by the texturing parameters/textured yarn structure. These properties are mainly dependent on the entrapped air present in fabrics. Thermal absorptivity is a transient phenomenon of heat flow reflecting that the ‘warm-cool feeling’ effect of fabrics depends on smoothness/roughness of fabric surface. Fabrics with smooth surfaces have higher thermal absorptivity values as they provide a large area of contact with human skin. The roughness of fabrics depends on the number of surface loops and filament fineness. Transverse wicking of fabrics depends on the size, continuity and alignment of the capillaries present in the core of textured yarns.     

Investigating the effect of material and weave design on comfort properties of bilayer-woven fabrics

The paper focuses on the development of a bilayer-woven fabric and investigating the effect of weave design and material type on its comfort properties. Face layer was plain woven with cotton yarn, while two different weave designs (2/2 and 3/1 twill) and four different materials (cotton, polyester, micropolyester and nylon) were used for the back layer. The comfort properties of fabric, including air permeability (AP), thermal resistance, water vapour resistance and overall moisture management capacity, were determined. It was found that both the layers of fabric as a whole contribute to the comfort properties of bilayer fabric. The highest AP was exhibited by fabrics having both layers of cotton, while 3/1 twill samples have a lower value of thermal resistance as compared to the 2/2 twill samples. The results further showed that micro polyester woven in 3/1 twill weave exhibits better comfort properties.     

Study on effect of blend ratio on thermal comfort properties of cotton/nylon-blended fabrics with high-performance Kermel fibre

This study presents the thermal comfort properties of woven fabrics made of Kermel, cotton/nylon and cotton/nylon /Kermel-blended yarns. Our aim in this study is to combine the high comfort properties of cotton/nylon fibres with high thermal protective properties of Kermel fibre in different woven fabrics. Thus, Kermel (100%), cotton/nylon (50:50) and four blends of the 50% cotton fibres with nylon and Kermel (40:10, 30:20, 20:30 and 10:40) were spun on a ring-spinning frame and twisted into two-folded yarns with the same yarn count of 30/2(Ne) and twist level of 560 TPM. Using the produced yarns, woven fabrics with identical characteristic and structure were also produced. Then, the thermal comfort and physical properties of fabrics were studied in terms of fabric porosity, thermal resistance, thermal conductivity, water vapour resistance and air permeability. The results show that the porosity, air permeability and thermal resistance increase with Kermel fibre blend ratio. Conversely, the water vapour resistance decreases with increase of Kermel fibre blend ratio up to 40%, while 100% Kermel-woven fabric exhibits a higher water vapour resistance value. Nevertheless, the thermal conductivity of cotton/nylon-blended Kermel woven fabric is unchanged with increase of Kermel fibre blend ratio up to 40%, whereas at 100% Kermel fibre blend ratio, the lowest thermal conductivity is obtained. The obtained results implied that woven fabric produced from cotton/nylon (50/10) blended with 40% Kermel fibre resulted in proper thermal comfort properties.     

A study on thermal properties of single-jersey knitted fabrics produced from ring and compact folded yarns

This paper presents a study on the thermal properties of single-jersey knitted fabrics manufactured using ring, compact and ring/compact folded yarns. The variations in thermal properties depending on the yarn twist and traveller weight of folded yarn single-jersey knits were discussed. It was found that the thermal resistance of knitted fabrics generally increases as the traveller weight decreases, and also water vapour permeability reduces as the traveller weight decreases. The water vapour permeability and air permeability of knitted fabrics increase as the twist increases. The thermal conductivity of knitted fabrics decreases as the twist increases. The air permeability and water vapour permeability values were higher for compact folded yarn fabrics as compared to those values of ring and ring/compact folded yarn fabrics. It is observed that yarn twist and traveller weight have affected different thermal properties of single-jersey folded yarn fabrics.     

Comfort properties of bamboo/cotton blended knitted fabrics produced from rotor spun yarns

The comfort characteristics of bamboo/cotton-blended knitted fabrics made from rotor-spun yarns were studied in this research work. Five different blend proportions namely 100% bamboo, 100% cotton, 50:50 cotton:bamboo, 70:30 cotton:bamboo and 30:70 cotton:bamboo were used to produce rotor-spun yarns of 30^sNe_c. The yarn samples developed out of these different blend proportions were evaluated for yarn strength and elongation, yarn unevenness, yarn imperfections and used to produce single-jersey-knitted fabrics. All the fabric samples were dyed and finished. Fabric samples were evaluated for geometrical properties such as course/inch, wales/inch, stitch density and thickness apart from measuring comfort properties such as airpermeability, thermal conductivity, thermal resistance and water vapour permeability. The results indicated that 50/50 bamboo/cotton-blended knits have comparable fabric quality in terms of comfort properties with respect to 100% bamboo fabrics.     

蛋白纱织物服用舒适性探讨

 织物的服用性能包括耐用性、舒适性、外观性。不同季节服装对织物在这 3方面的权重要求不同 ,夏季服用织物着重考虑其舒适性。蛋白纱织物作为夏季服用织物较多 ,因此 ,对其舒适性的要求显得很重要。     

Stab resistance and thermophysiological comfort properties of boron carbide coated aramid and ballistic nylon fabrics

This research presents the stab resistance and thermo-physiological comfort properties of the fabrics prepared from high-performance fibres of aramid (i.e. Kevlar®) and ballistic nylon. The fabric samples were coated with boron carbide to improve the stab resistance properties. The quasistatic stab tests were performed using NIJ 0115.00 standard knife (P1) on the Instron tensile testing machine. The thermo-physiological comfort properties of the fabric samples were evaluated by measuring the air permeability, water-vapour resistance and thermal resistance. It was observed that the application of the coating significantly increased the stab resistance properties of the fabrics. Furthermore, the air permeability was significantly reduced; whereas, the water-vapour resistance and thermal resistance were significantly increased with the application of coating. Hence, the coated fabrics will have to compromise the comfort aspects to achieve the desired protection level, which is the prime requirement for the stab resistant textile materials.     

聚酯长丝/棉复合纱斜纹织物的保形性及服用性能

为研究聚酯(PET)长丝/棉复合纱斜纹织物的保形性及服用性能,利用PET长丝与纯棉纱开发了3种线密度为9.8 tex的纱线,并以二上二下斜纹组织织造了4种织物。对织物进行了折皱回复性、免烫性、尺寸稳定性、悬垂性等保形性能,强伸性、拉伸弹性、顶破性等抗变形性测试,以及手感风格、透湿性、透气性等服用性能测试。对比分析了纯棉纱织物与复合纱织物的保形性与服用性能。结果表明:PET长丝/棉复合纱可改善纯棉织物的折皱回复性、悬垂性,提高免烫等级,同时又不影响织物的服用性能;包芯纱织物比包缠纱织物有更好的保形性,更高的免烫等级,是免烫衬衫面料的理想选择。     

Impact of structural variations in hollow yarn on heat and moisture transport properties of fabrics

The use of hollow/microporous yarns plays an important role in enhancing the thermo‐physiological comfort properties of fabrics. Depending on structural variations in hollow yarn, heat and moisture regulation behaviours of fabrics can be affected significantly. In this study, three types of hollow cotton yarn fabrics, produced by introducing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) filament in the core, PVA staple fibres in the blend and PVA filament in doubling with cotton spun yarn, are studied. All three types of pre‐hollow yarns and reference yarns are made with a variation in spinning technique (single roving/double roving) to prepare eight single jersey knitted fabrics. The hollow/microporous structure of the yarn is created by dissolving the PVA fibres using hot washing of the fabrics. On overall evaluation of the fabric’s thermo‐physiological comfort properties, the doubled hollow yarn fabrics are found to be better than other fabrics. In general, thermal resistance, thermal absorptivity, wicking and drying properties of all types of hollow yarn fabrics increase after repeated laundering, while air permeability, water vapour permeability and water absorbency of hollow yarn fabrics mostly decrease. In contrast with fabrics made from yarn produced through single roving technique, use of double roving technique only improves fabric water vapour permeability.     

Permeability properties of single jersey fabrics made of hollow yarns

In this work effect of using hollow yarns on the permeability properties of the single jersey knitted fabrics were studied. Firstly yarns were produced by ring spinning machine using cotton, viscose and acrylic fibres in the mantle and water soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibre in the core. Single jersey fabrics were knitted and PVA core was removed subsequently by washing process to create hollow yarn. Weight, air permeability and water transmission rate properties of fabrics were measured before and after washing and compared with reference fabrics. Due to the removal of PVA fibres from the yarn core after washing treatment, air permeability and water vapour transmission rate of the all kind of single jersey fabrics which were produced with hollow yarns increased as well as weight of the fabrics decreased which will cause more comfort during any exercise. It was also found that mantle fibre type and PVA ratio have significant effect on the fabric properties.     

Multi-response optimization of mechanical and comfort properties of bi-stretch woven fabrics using grey relational analysis in Taguchi method

The present paper envisages the multi-response optimization of certain factors like elastane linear density, fabric thread density and weave float on some mechanical, (i.e. stretch %, recovery %) and comfort (i.e. air permeability) properties of bi-stretch woven fabrics, under L₁₈ orthogonal array in Taguchi design. Fabric samples were produced using elastane core-spun cotton yarns both in the warp and weft. The elastane linear density, fabric thread density and weave float size were used as predictor variables, while fabric air permeability, stretch and recovery were taken as response variables. Two different elastane linear densities, i.e. 44 dtex and 78 dtex, 3 different thread densities and 3 different weave designs, i.e. 1/1 plain, 2/2 z-twill and 3/3 z-twill were used. The results have been analysed using grey relational analysis for the identification of an optimum level of process factors. Furthermore, using analysis of variance method, significant contributions of predictor variables were determined.     

Effect of blend proportion on thermal behaviour of bamboo knitted fabrics

This study presents the thermal comfort properties of single jersey knitted fabric structures made from cotton, regenerated bamboo and cotton–bamboo blended yarns. Cotton, bamboo fibre and blends of the two fibres (100% cotton, 100% bamboo, 50:50 cotton:bamboo, 67:33 cotton:bamboo, 33:67 cotton:bamboo) were spun into yarns of identical linear density (20?tex). Each of the yarns so produced was converted to single jersey knitted fabrics with loose, medium and tight structures. The thermal conductivity of the fabrics was generally found to decrease with increase in the proportion of bamboo fibre. The relative water vapour permeability and air permeability of the fabrics were observed to increase with increase in bamboo fibre content. Statistical analysis also indicates that the results are significant for air permeability, thermal resistance, thermal conductivity and relative water vapour permeability of the fabrics.     

A study on thermophysiological comfort properties of fabrics in relation to constituent fibre fineness and cross-sectional shapes

The present study reports the effect of linear densities and profiles of polyester fibres on the physiological properties of their fabrics. Four different polyester fibre finenesses along with microdenier and four cross-sectional shapes (circular, scalloped oval, tetrakelion and trilobal) were selected to produce two sets of 2/1 twill fabrics; one composed of 100% polyester and the other 67:33 P/V blends. In studying the thermophysiological component of the clothing comfort, heat, air and moisture transmission characteristics of the fabrics were assessed. The principal thermal properties, such as thermal absorptivity, thermal resistance and thermal conductivity, were experimentally evaluated, using the Alambeta instrument. The study of the obtained results established the fabrics of non-circular cross-sections as against circular ones, and increase in the linear density results in higher thermal resistance, lower thermal conductivity and lower thermal absorptivity. Wicking behaviour of fabrics was studied under two conditions–wicking from an infinite liquid reservoir (transverse wicking) and wicking from a finite liquid reservoir (single drop wicking into the fabrics). Increase in fibre linear density enhances transplaner wicking but slows down the spreading speed of water drops. Air permeability and moisture vapour permeability are found to be positively correlated with fibre decitex. The role of fibre cross-sectional shapes in influencing mass-flow characteristics is quite considerable. Use of non-circular polyester in place of a circular one augments the wickability of liquid water along with the permeability of air and moisture vapour through the fabrics, revealing their high porosity, which assists air and moisture to propagate. Mixing viscose into polyester brings down the air permeability and moisture vapour transmission rate (MVTR) of fabrics. Results show that moisture absorption of viscose is an important factor in influencing the moisture transport characteristics including both wickability and MVTR of 100% viscose and P/V-blended fabrics.     

Thermophysiological comfort properties of selected knitted fabrics and design of T-shirts

Thermal comfort is one of the most important components of comfort which shows physiological, psychological, and physical harmony between human body and environment. The heat and moisture transfer capacity of fabric from skin to environment affects the thermal comfort of garments. The transfer capacity depends on the characteristic features of raw materials and fabric structural properties. In this study, it is aimed to determine the advantages of knitted fabric types, taking into account the environmental condition and activity level by measuring the thermal comfort properties such as air permeability, wicking, moisture management, thermal and water vapor resistances. Two knitted structures composed of tuck and float combinations and six raw materials were chosen for the fabrics produced. According to the measurement results, the polyester and cotton/Coolmax fabrics with float stitches have had good liquid moisture transport properties. Besides, high air permeability and low water vapor resistance have been obtained in viscose and Tencel LF fabrics with tuck stitches. On the basis of the results obtained in this investigation, and taking into consideration thermal behavior of human body, four women’s and five men’s T-shirts are designed. These T-shirt designs may be helpful for further approaches on the optimization of thermal comfort for sports activities in hot environment.     

Studies on moisture transmission properties of PV-blended fabrics

Moisture transmission properties are most important for fabric comfort. We have studied the moisture transmission properties of the plain-woven fabric produced with polyester–viscose-(PV) blended yarns. PV-blended yarns of varying blend proportion, yarn count and twist levels have been used for fabric manufacture. A three-variable Box and Behnken factorial design technique has been used to study the interaction effects of the above variables on the aforesaid characteristics of fabrics. The interactive effect of these three variables on the air permeability, water vapour permeability, in-plane wicking and vertical wicking of PV-blended fabrics has been studied and the response surface equations for all the properties have been derived; also, the design variables have been optimized for all the moisture transmission-related properties. Most of the moisture transmission characteristics were found to be affected significantly by blend proportion, count and twist levels at 95% level of significance with the present variables.     

石墨烯黏胶纤维机织物的功能改性研究

制备同规格的普通黏胶纤维机织物、石墨烯黏胶纤维机织物及不同不锈钢丝质量分数的石墨烯黏胶纤维/不锈钢丝机织物,对比它们的导电、防电磁辐射、防紫外线、抗静电、力学(拉伸、弯曲、耐磨)及透气等性能。结果表明:普通黏胶纤维经石墨烯改进后,所制成的石墨烯黏胶纤维机织物的导电、防电磁辐射、防紫外线、抗静电、力学(拉伸、弯曲、耐磨)等性能都有所改善,其中防紫外线与耐磨性能提高显著,透气性能下降明显;石墨烯黏胶纤维/不锈钢丝机织物的导电、防电磁辐射、防紫外线和抗静电、经向拉伸断裂强力、纬向抗弯刚度、透气性能都优于石墨烯黏胶纤维机织物,纬向拉伸断裂强力、经纬向拉伸断裂伸长率、经向抗弯刚度及耐磨性能不及石墨烯黏胶纤维机织物;随着不锈钢丝质量分数在7.0%~20.0%范围内的增加,石墨烯黏胶纤维/不锈钢丝机织物的导电、防紫外线、抗静电、经向拉伸断裂强力、纬向抗弯刚度及透气性能增强,纬向拉伸断裂强力、经纬向拉伸断裂伸长率、经向抗弯刚度、耐磨性能减小,不锈钢丝质量分数变化对防电磁辐射性能影响较小。当不锈钢丝质量分数为7.0%时,石墨烯黏胶纤维/不锈钢丝机织物的综合性能最佳。     

Modelling to predict thermophysiological properties of hollow/microporous yarn fabrics

Hollow/microporous yarn spinning is a technique used to increase the bulk of yarn without increasing its weight. Hollowness in the cotton yarns has been introduced by various methods and techniques. Empirical models have been developed to predict the thermophysiological properties through structural parameters. Based on standardized multiple linear regression models, fabric’s structural parameters are related with thermophysiological properties of hollow yarn fabrics. Three basic parameters i.e. yarns packing density, inter-yarn porosity and fabric thickness have been found to relate strongly with fabric thermophysiological properties except water vapour permeability.     

Establishing thermal comfort: characterization of selected performance and physical properties of fabrics used in hospital operating room uniforms

The purpose of this research was to characterize selected thermal properties of clothing fabrics available to operating room (OR) workers at the University of Alberta Hospital and to relate the thermal properties to fabric structural characteristics. In this study, we measured the thermal resistance and air permeability of fabrics obtained from surgical gowns, scrubs and warm-up jackets currently in use in ORs in a specific hospital. The results showed that the fabrics from which the surgical gowns were made provide the highest thermal insulation with lowest air permeability, while the warm-up jackets’ fabrics had the greatest air permeability with low thermal insulation values. The clothing options available to workers in the OR fall well below the predicted clothing insulation values for thermal comfort. For workers in the OR, such as anaesthesiologists, who are predominantly sedentary throughout their work shift, the lack of thermally insulating clothing options has consequences for their overall thermal comfort. This study comprises part of a larger ongoing study investigating improving the OR workers thermal comfort through clothing.