Investigation of moisture vapor permeability and thermal comfort properties of ceramic embedded fabrics for protective clothing

Abstract

This study examined the water and moisture vapor permeable and thermal wear comfort of different ceramic imbedded fabrics for workwear protective clothing, and the results are discussed in terms of the thermal radiation and the emissivity characteristics of these fabrics. The water and moisture vapor permeable and thermal wear comfort properties of the ceramic-imbedded fabrics incorporating aluminum oxide (Al2O3)/graphite, zinc oxide (ZnO)/zirconium carbide (ZrC) and ZnO/antimony tin oxide (ATO) were superior to those of the regular polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics due to the greater heat emission of the ceramic-imbedded fabrics. Of three ceramic imbedded fabrics, ZnO/ATO-imbedded fabric exhibited poorer water absorbing and drying properties than those of the Al2O3/graphite and ZnO/ZrC ceramic-imbedded fabrics. The heat retention rate and breathability were also inferior to those of the Al2O3/graphite and ZnO/ZrC ceramic-imbedded fabrics, which were due to the lower far-infrared (FIR) emissivity of the ZnO/ATO-imbedded fabrics. Summarizing the water and moisture vapor permeable and thermal wear comfort properties with heat release characteristics of the different ceramic imbedded PET fabrics, Al2O3 and ZrC ceramic particles imparted a good wear comfort characteristics with superior heat release property, whereas, the ZnO and ATO ceramic particles imbedded fabrics exhibited inferior water and moisture vapor permeable and thermal wear comfort due to the lower heat release of ZnO particles and the heat shielding effect of ATO particles, which is supposed to impart an uncomfortable feeling while wearing workwear protective clothing in cold/dry environments in cold weather regions. These findings suggest that ZnO and ATO particles need to be mixed with ZrC and Al2O3 particles in the yarns to enhance wear comfort of workwear protective clothing.

Manufacturing and Properties of Various Ceramic-Embedded Composite Fabrics for Protective Clothing in Gas and Oil Industries Part II: Thermal Wear Comfort via Thermal Manikin

“…As shown in Figure 8eg, the particles (white spots) size of Al2O3 (Figure 8e) were greater than the ZrC and ZnO particles (white spots) (Figure 8f) and also greater than white spots of the ZnO and ATO particles (Figure 8g). The sizes of white spots in Figure 8e-g might be compared with the particle sizes and their distribution shown in a prior study [37]. Followings are quoted in a prior study [37], "the particle size of Al2O3 was distributed between 0.1 and 10 µm with average size 869 nm, and ZrC was distributed between 0.05 and 1.1 µm with average size 548 nm.…”

“…The sizes of white spots in Figure 8e-g might be compared with the particle sizes and their distribution shown in a prior study [37]. Followings are quoted in a prior study [37], "the particle size of Al2O3 was distributed between 0.1 and 10 µm with average size 869 nm, and ZrC was distributed between 0.05 and 1.1 µm with average size 548 nm. The particle size of the ZnO and ATO were distributed between 200 and 300 nm".…”

“…On the other hand, the FIR radiation of the mixed ZnO and ATO-embedded yarns (specimen 3) was inferior to Al 2 O 3 -incorporated yarn 1 and ZrC-incorporated yarn 2 mixed with other ceramic particles. The reason why is quoted in a prior study [37], as follows. "This was due to the lower heat release of ZnO particles and the heat shielding effect of ATO particles.…”

“…Thermal insulation (Clo value) of the ceramic incorporated clothing measured using a thermal manikin system was compared with the heat retention rate (I) of the composite fabrics. Table 6 lists the I values, which are quoted in a prior study [37]. The D (deviation) in Table 6 denotes the difference (+ and −) between the maximum (minimum) and mean values.…”

A Review of Emerging Technologies and Future Fabrics for Extreme Cold

“…https://doi.org/10.31881/TLR.2023.209 A variety of human organs and systems experience considerable alterations in activity when exposed to cold. The extent of these alterations depends on specific climatic variable values, the duration of time spent in low-temperature situations, and the design of the cold protection procedures used [7][8]. Considering the characteristics of the various clothing layers and how they combine to create a layered cold-protective clothing system is necessary for making an appropriate clothing selection.…”