Sorptive Composite Fabrics Containing Activated-Carbon Yarns

Abstract

Experimental woven and knit fabrics were prepared for potential use in protective clothing. Inherently weak activated-carbon yarns were incorporated in these fabrics with stronger yarns of other types, but in all cases Aramid warp yarns were used. In some fabrics carbon yams were covered with cotton yarns before the fabric was manufactured, which resulted in improved durability without any loss of sorptivity. Their strength, air permeability, thickness, weight, and abrasion resistance were greater than those of activated all-carbon fabrics. Thermal insulation was greater than that of a typical business-suit fabric and less than that of current impregnated protective fabrics.