Comfort Properties of Heat-Resistant Protective Workwear in Varying Conditions of Physical Activity and Environment. Part I: Thermophysical and Sensorial Properties of Fabrics

Abstract

This series of studies investigates the impact of thermophysiologial and sensorial properties and end-use conditions of heat-resistant protective workwear on the wear comfort response. In Part I of this paper, material features and test methods are screened to obtain fabric characteristics that explain wear comfort effectively. Thermophysiological and sensorial properties including liquid moisture transfer properties are assessed for six heat resistant workwear materials with different fiber content, yarn property, weave type, and functional finishes. Based on the thermophysical values, small differences among the test garments are predicted. Measured sensorial properties, obtained from fabric mechanical, surface, and liquid moisture management properties, provide more distinctive comparisons. The remaining moisture (A) is calculated from the evaporated (E) and total driven (T) water to predict the sensation of clamminess after sweating. Results from surface roughness, contact area, and wet cling analysis show that softer yarns, finer fibers and twill weaves produce measurably smoother fabrics with small contact. Also, effects of hydrophilic fiber blending and wicking finishes on the moisture management properties are examined. The former does not affect the liquid moisture management properties while the latter measurably enhances the absorption rate. These results are discussed in relation to the wear comfort response in varying conditions of physical activity and ambient environments in Part II of this paper.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Adler, M. M. , and Walsh, W. K. , Mechanisms of Transient Moisture Transport Between Fabrics , Textile Res. J. 54, 334-343 (1984).

Andreen, J. H. , Gibson, J. W. , and Wetmore, O. L. , Fabric Evaluations Based on Physiological Measurements of Comfort , Textile Res. J. 23, 11-22 (1953).

Chatterjee, P. K. , “Absorbency,” Elsevier, Amsterdam , 1985.

Clark, R. P. , and Edholm, O. G. , “Man and His Thermal Environment,” Edward Arnold, London , 1985.

Fanger, P. O. , “Thermal Comfort,” McGraw Hill, New York , 1970.

Gagge, A. P. and Gonzalez, R. R. , Physiological and Physical Factors Associated with Warm Discomfort and Sedentary Man , Environ. Res. 7, 230 (1974).

Greenwood, K. , The Language of Comfort , in Papers presented at the “Third Shirley International Seminar: Textiles for Comfort,” The Cotton Silk and Man-made Fibers Research Association, Manchester, England, June 15-17,1971.

Goldman, R. F. , Evaluating the Effect of Clothing on the Wearer, “Bioengineering, Thermal Physiology and Comfort,” Cena, K. and Clark, J. A. , Eds., Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., Chap. 3, Amsterdam , 1981.

Hatch, K. L. , Woo, S. S. , Barker, R. L. , Radhakrishnaiah, P. , Markee, N.L. and Maibach, H.I. , In Vivo Cutaneous and Perceived Comfort Response to Fabric Part I: Thermophysiological Comfort Determinations for Three Experimental Knit Fabrics , Textile Res. J. 60, 405-412 (1990).

10.

Havenith, G. , Heat Balance When Wearing Protective Clothing , Ann. Occup. Hyg. 43, 289-296 (1999).

11.

Hollies, N. R. S. , Kaessinger, M. M. , and Bogaty, H. , Water Transport Mechanisms in Textile Materials: Part 1. The Role of Yarn Roughness in Capillary-Type Penetration , Textile Res. J. 26, 829-835 (1956).

12.

Hollies, N. R. S. , Kaessinger, M. M. , and Bogaty, H. , Water Transport Mechanisms in Textile Materials: Part 2. Capillary-Type Penetration of Yarns and Fibers , Textile Res. J. 27, 8-13 (1957).

13.

Hollies, N. R. S. , The Comfort Characteristics of Next-To-Skin Garments, Including Shirts , in Papers presented at the “Third Shirley International Seminar: Textiles for Comfort,” The Cotton Silk and Man-made Fibers Research Association, Manchester, England, June 15-17, 1971.

14.

Hollies, N. R. S. and Goldman, R. F. , “Clothing Comfort: Interaction of Thermal Ventilation, Construction, and Assessment Factors,” Ann Arbor Science, Ann Arbor, MI , 1977.

15.

Hollies, N.R.S. , Custer, A. G. , Morin, C. J. , and Howard, M. E. , A Human Perception Analysis Approach to Clothing Comfort , Textile Res. J. 49, 557-564 (1979).

16.

Kawabata, S. , “The Standardization and Analysis of Hand Evaluation,” 2nd ed., Textile Machinery Society of Japan, Nishi-ku, Osaka, Japan , 1980.

17.

Li, Y. , Holcombe, B. V. , and Apcar, F. , Moisture Buffering Behavior of Hygroscopic Fabric During Wear , Textile Res. J. 62, 619-627 (1992).

18.

Plante, A. M. , Holcombe, B. V. , and Stephens, L. G. , Fiber Hygroscopicity and Perceptions of Dampness: Part 1. Subjective Trials , Textile Res. J. 65, 293-298 (1995).

19.

Rees, W. H. , Physical Factors Determining the Comfort Performance of Textiles , in Papers presented at the “Third Shirley International Seminar: Textiles for Comfort,” The Cotton Silk and Man-made Fibers Research Association, Manchester, England, June 15-17, 1971.

20.

Scheurell, D. M. , Spivak, S. M. , and Hollies, N. R. S. , Dynamic Surface Wetness of Fabrics in Relation to Clothing Comfort , Textile Res. J. 55, 394-399 (1985).

21.

Schneider, A. , and Hoschke, B. N. , Heat Transfer through Moist Fabrics , Textile Res. J. 62, 61-66 (1992).

22.

Umbach, K. H. , Physiological Tests and Evaluation Models for the Optimization of the Performance of Protective Clothing, in “Environmental Ergonomics,” Mekjavic, I. B. , Banister, E. W. , and Morrison, J. B. , Eds., Taylor & Francis, New York/London , pp. 139-161, 1988.

23.

Woo, S. S., “An Analysis of the Comfort Properties of Nonwoven Barrier Fabrics and Thermal Insulation in Extreme Hot and Cold Environments,” Doctoral Dissertation, College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, 1988.

24.

Woo, S. S. , and Barker, R. L. , Using Novel Methods to measure Heat and Moisture Transport Properties of Polyester and Cotton Knit Fabrics , in “Proceedings of Fiber Producer Conference-88,” Greenville, SC, May 1988.

25.

Woodcock, A. H. , Moisture Transfer in Textile Systems, Part 1 , Textile Res. J. 32, 628-633 (1962).

26.

Woodcock, A. H. , Moisture Transfer in Textile Systems, Part 2 , Textile Res. J. 32, 719-723 (1962).

27.

Yoo, S. C., “Relationship between Material Properties and Human Sensorial Comfort in Transient Conditions of Wear,” Doctoral Dissertation, College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, 1998.