Innovations in textile materials & protecting clothing

Abstract

[...] The results of research concerning new types of protective clothing, modeling its characteristics and the phenomena associated with its use, as well as the methodology of testing its protective properties are presented in the chapter ,,Protective clothing and equipment". It presents the results of modeling fabrics for ballistic and stab protective clothing, studies of new basalt textiles designed for protective gloves and of multifunctional high visibility vests. For analysis of the heat transfer from the external environment to the skin, a finite element model of the human skin was presented. This aspect of modeling might be crucial in estimation of heat stress conditions as well as skin bums. Finite-element method was also applied for modeling of ballistic impact on a human torso protected by textile body armor. Comparison between serial and parallel models for estimation of thermal insulation of protective clothing shows that the parallel model is closer to "true" insulation, so the revision of standard presented requirements for that clothing will be needed. The development of new types of protective clothing is closely associated with new, innovative materials. Results concerning, among others, novel materials impregnated with rheological fluids designed for body armor, materials with therapeutic and antibacterial properties are presented in the chapter ,,Innovations of textile materials". It also presents the problems of polymer coatings of synthetic leather for clothing materials, as well as the results of the study concerning the development of technology for new nonwoven materials on the basis of water-soluble polymers. The results of research concerning the effect of chemical processing of textiles on their properties and methods for post-treated ready-made garments are also discussed. Nowadays, in times of sophisticated users' needs and possibilities of application of high-tech solutions in designing products, it is crucial to find an equilibrium among protection, comfort and durability of clothing. The chapter ,,Human comfort in clothing" discusses very important problems associated with the use of clothing and its effect on the user's well-being. The problems of humidity transport, undergarment microclimate and ventilation are discussed and the solutions improving the user's comfort are presented. The methodology of testing fabrics and clothing properties allowing to predict the comfort associated with their use is also described. [...]