Modelization of the Influence of the Wearing Conditions of the Garments on the Ultraviolet Protection Factor

Abstract

The aim of the paper was the modelization of the influence on the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of the more representative properties of the wearing conditions of the garments, the tension produced in contact with the body and the wetness. The study was carried out on undyed woven fabrics manufactured with three different cellulosic fibers (Cotton, Modal and Modal Sun) and with three different structures. The transmission of Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) in the whole ultraviolet range, as well as in the UVA and UVB regions, was measured and the UPF was determined. A statistical model for each fiber type was formulated, which allowed the prediction of the UPF according to the UPF of the original fabric (unstretched and dry), the tension and the wetness.

Structural and ultraviolet‐protective properties of nano‐TiO2‐doped polypropylene filaments

“…The sun emits UV radiation in a wavelength range of 100–400 nm, which is conventionally subdivided into three bands: UVA (315–400 nm), UVB (280–315 nm), and UVC (100–280 nm). However, only UV rays with wavelengths of 290–400 nm reach the surface of the earth because UVC and some UVB are absorbed by the stratospheric ozone in the earth's atmosphere 3, 20, 21. Exposure to large doses of these solar UV radiations can result in detrimental effects on human skin, including sunburn, premature skin aging, and allergies, if the skin is unprotected 3, 5.…”

“…The term ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), which is defined in Australian/New Zealand Standard 4399,22 has been widely used by the textile and clothing industry to evaluate the UV‐protective capacity of textile products 20. It is defined as follows:3, 21, 22 where E λ is the relative erythemal spectral effectiveness, S λ is the solar UV spectral irradiance, T λ is the spectral transmittance of the specimen (incoming light that passes through the specimen), Δλ is the wavelength increment (nm), and λ represents the wavelength (nm). When Δλ is constant, two more indices can be calculated by where T_UVA and T_UVB (%) are the means of transmittance under UVA and UVB, respectively, and m and n are the numbers of measurement points for UVA and UVB, respectively 3, 20, 21…”

“…The rated UPF will always be a value that is a multiple of 5. For UPF ratings of 51 or greater, the term 50+ is used 20, 21…”

Textiles & Apparel as UV Protectives in Medical Applications

“…UPF is similar to SPF (sun protection factor) used to rate sunscreens but UPF is the rating used to measure the amount of UV rays that pass through fabrics when exposed to UV radiation [10]. The Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of a fabric is a quantitative measurement of the effectiveness of the fabric to protect the human skin against ultraviolet radiation [11]. UPF ratings are shown in the table below: Table 1: UPF ratings [12] Each fabric must be tested to determine its ability to protect from solar radiation, as this cannot be known from visual observation nor calculated from descriptions of the fabric's composition and structure [1].…”

Wowen Fabric and Ultraviolet Protection

“…European standard EN 13758-1 in annex C considers measurements under stretched and wet conditions informatively, while ASTM D 6544 refers to the preparation of textiles prior to ultraviolet transmission testing which includes exposure conditions (laundering, simulated sunlight and chlorinated pool water). Algaba et al (2007) conducted a study on undyed woven fabrics made with three different cellulose fibres (cotton, modal and modal sun fibres that contain UV absorber in the spinning bath) which were exposed to the simulation of the wearing conditions of the clothing. Samples were stretched with a tension of 2, 4, and 6 N and the measurements were carried out after maintaining the samples (unstretched or stretched) in water until saturation.…”