In this study, stainless steel conductive yarns with 500 tex fineness and 14 Ω/m linear resistances were inserted into the reverse side of the knitted fabrics made from acrylic yarns. Six types of knitted fabrics with conductive yarns were produced on an E=7 gauge electronic flat bed knitting machine. Then the electromagnetic shielding efficiency (EMSE) of the sample fabrics were measured in the frequency range of 750 MHz – 3000 MHz. The EMSE variations of the sample fabrics having conductive yarns with respect to fabric structure and polarization type (vertical and horizontal) were also investigated. It was observed that the same samples showed different behaviors and have dissimilar EMSE values in different polarization conditions. When compared to horizontal polarization measurements, the vertical measurement results gave better EMSE values.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to investigate the concept of "electrically conductive fabrics". The primer applications that import electrical conductivity properties to textiles and clothing are summarized. Also the heated fabric panels produced by steel yarns are evaluated. Single and multi-ply steel fabrics are applied to electrical current and their heating behaviors are observed and compared. Design/methodology/approach -The integration of electronic components with textiles to create very smart structures is getting more and more attention in recent years. Most of the textile materials are electrical insulators. Hence, various types of fibers and fabrics having reasonably good electrical conductivity are required especially for electronically functional apparel products. The textile-based materials being flexible and easily workable are the most preferred one in such cases. In this study, the steel yarns are placed in the fabric construction owing to their flexible characteristics. The heating panels used in this study are produced by conventional textile processes and applied to electrical current. For this purpose, an electronic circuit that contains textile-based warming panels connected to a power supply, has been developed. Findings -The heated steel fabric panels with different number of plies provide different heating degree intervals owing to the different resistance levels, Therefore, in the applications of textile-based heating elements it is suggested that the electrical characterization of conductive materials should be examined and the materials that have the most appropriate electrical resistance characteristic must be applied. Furthermore, in the circuits used for heating function, the current amount depends on the electrical features of heating structures. Consequently, the pads with different plies have various efficient heating in point of time. It is recommended that the appropriate heating pad dimensions, ply or conductive yarn amounts and sufficient power supply conditions should be evaluated and chosen according to the desired heating level. Originality/value -Electrically conductive stainless steel yarns are processed to form a heating panel that can be used within an electronic circuit as a warming mechanism.

The smart/interactive textile structures that integrate electronics and textile materials have realized their great potential in recent years. The garments, which can heat the body, will possibly be one of the most widely used products as electrotextiles for future use in daily life. In this study, steel-based conductive yarns were used to produce heating panels within the study about interactive electronic heated garment design. Portable power supplies were applied to fabric-based panels to obtain a heating function. In addition to an electronic circuit, a functional garment containing all of the systems was designed and produced. The performance of the heating garment prototype was evaluated on a thermal mannequin by testing in cold weather environments.

The textile-based materials, equipped with nanotechnology and electronics, have a major role in the development of high-tech milltary uniforms and materials. Active intelligent textile systems, integrated to electronics, have the capacity of improving the combat soldiers performance by sensing, adopting themselves and responding to a situational combat need allowing the combat soldiers to continue their mission. Meantime, smart technologies aim to help soldiers do everyth~ng they need to do with a less number of equipment and a lighter load. In this study, recent developments on smart garments, especially designed for military usage owing to their electronic functions, and intelligent textlle-based materials that can be used in battlefield, are introduced.

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