Thermochromic Properties of Textile Fabrics

Abstract

The ability of certain dyestuffs to change colour in a predictable and reversible way with the change in temperature is a property that can be well utilized in smart textiles. Accurate and repeatable determination of the chromatic response of the dye stuff and as an extension of the textile material dyed using these dyes in a significant step towards developing such smart textiles. In this regard the current research project proposes a method for investigating the thermochromic properties of textiles using a custom made testing setup, that includes a digitally controlled heating and cooling equipment as well as a set up to obtain the chromatic response of the textiles every 0.5 °C. Moreover, the proposed set up allows for the investigation of heating/ cooling cycling of the specimens, to confirm the repeatability of the chromatic response of the specimens.