Assessment of Thermal Performance of Phase-Change Material-Based Multilayer Protective Clothing Exposed to Contact and Radiant Heat

Abstract

The research presented in this article concerns the thermal properties of multilayer protective clothing, specifically, the impact of phase-change material (PCM) incorporation on the occurring heat transfer. Multilayer textile assemblies with PCM inserts (macrocapsules containing n-octadecane) and reference assemblies with PP inserts (macrogranules from polypropylene) with very similar geometry and the same textile layers were tested. The spatial geometry of tested assemblies was examined using high-resolution X-ray microtomography (micro-CT). The heating process of the assemblies was examined under the conditions of exposure to contact heat (using thermography) and radiant heat (using a copper plate calorimeter, according to EN ISO 6942). PCM-containing assemblies achieved a temperature rise of 12 °C in a longer period than the reference assemblies; for the contact heat method, the time was longer by 11 and 14 min, and for the radiant heat method by 1.7 and 2.1 min.

Assessment of Insulation against Contact Heat and Radiant Heat of Composites with TiO2-ZrO2-Al and Parylene C Coatings Intended for Protective Gloves Supported by Computational Fluid Dynamics

“…The possibility of protection against hot factors in industries such as metallurgy, welding, or foundry is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive approach and providing the employee with appropriate personal protective equipment [2]. Gloves intended to protect hands against hot factors, like other parts of protective clothing (firefighter garments [3][4][5], sleeping bags for newborns [6,7], civilian clothing [8][9][10][11][12][13]), are usually made of various materials or multilayer material systems (Figure 1).…”

“…2023, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 19 employee with appropriate personal protective equipment [2]. Gloves intended to protect hands against hot factors, like other parts of protective clothing (firefighter garments [3][4][5], sleeping bags for newborns [6,7], civilian clothing [8][9][10][11][12][13]), are usually made of various materials or multilayer material systems (Figure 1). Due to their functions, the palm side and back side of the protective glove may differ in geometry and raw material composition, but both sides must be made of flame-retardant materials and meet appropriate thermal insulation standards.…”