Fabrication of Recycled Polycarbonate Fibre for Thermal Signature Reduction in Camouflage Textiles

Abstract

Thermal signature reduction in camouflage textiles is a vital requirement to protect soldiers from detection by thermal imaging equipment in low-light conditions. Thermal signature reduction can be achieved by decreasing the surface temperature of the subject by using a low thermally conductive material, such as polycarbonate, which contains bisphenol A. Polycarbonate is a hard type of plastic that generally ends up in dumps and landfills. Accordingly, there is a large amount of polycarbonate waste that needs to be managed to reduce its drawbacks to the environment. Polycarbonate waste has great potential to be used as a material for recycled fibre by the melt spinning method. In this research, polycarbonate roofing-sheet waste was extruded using a 2 mm diameter of spinnerette and a 14 mm barrel diameter in a 265 °C temperature process by using a lab-scale melt spinning machine at various plunger and take-up speeds. The fibres were then inserted into 1 × 1 rib-stitch knitted fabric made by Nm 15 polyacrylic commercial yarns, which were manufactured by a flat knitting machine. The results showed that applying recycled polycarbonate fibre as a fibre insertion in polyacrylate knitted fabric reduced the emitted infrared and thermal signature of the fabric.

Fabrication of Multifunctional Tents Using Canvas Fabric

“…This technique is appropriate for high-performance textile applications. 77 The bursting strength of a fabric made up of 33.3% polycarbonate and 66.7% polycarbonate was 25% greater than that of a fabric made up of 100% polyacrylic. The material had a greater percentage of recycled polycarbonate.…”

“…Among all heat source temperatures, the fabric with 66.7% polycarbonate and 33.3% polyacrylic had the greatest surface temperature decrease. , Recycled polycarbonate fibers can be incorporated into knitted fabrics to enhance their mechanical qualities. This technique is appropriate for high-performance textile applications . The bursting strength of a fabric made up of 33.3% polycarbonate and 66.7% polycarbonate was 25% greater than that of a fabric made up of 100% polyacrylic.…”

“…At varying temperatures, Soekoco et al employ distinct ratios of polycarbonate and poly­(acrylic acid) . In military camouflage, effectively managing temperature is crucial to minimize the emission of infrared radiation because lower infrared emissions lead to enhanced thermal insulation properties. − Reducing the thermal signature is essential, and this requires the use of materials with low infrared emissions and excellent thermal insulation properties.…”

“…At varying temperatures, Soekoco et al employ distinct ratios of polycarbonate and poly­(acrylic acid) . In military camouflage, effectively managing temperature is crucial to minimize the emission of infrared radiation because lower infrared emissions lead to enhanced thermal insulation properties. − Reducing the thermal signature is essential, and this requires the use of materials with low infrared emissions and excellent thermal insulation properties. Among all heat source temperatures, the fabric with 66.7% polycarbonate and 33.3% polyacrylic had the greatest surface temperature decrease. , Recycled polycarbonate fibers can be incorporated into knitted fabrics to enhance their mechanical qualities.…”