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Analysis of thermal performance of two fabrics intended for use as protective clothing
Author(s) -
Hirschler Marcelo M.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
fire and materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.482
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1099-1018
pISSN - 0308-0501
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1018(199705/06)21:3<115::aid-fam599>3.0.co;2-4
Subject(s) - viscose , aramid , composite material , thermal insulation , materials science , clothing , woven fabric , thermal , textile , forensic engineering , engineering , physics , archaeology , layer (electronics) , meteorology , history , fiber
Tests were conducted on two fabrics intended for use in protective clothing: an aramid (used extensively in firefighter gear) and a modified viscose cellulosic fabric. Both were exposed to very high heat (temperatures above 400°C) and their performance as thermal insulators was assessed by the temperature transmitted through the fabric, both in their dry state and after being exposed to a water spray. Both fabrics performed satisfactorily, but the modified viscose fabric improved its thermal insulation properties when damp, while the aramid fabric remained unaffected (or perhaps negatively affected) by the water spray. Overall, the modified viscose fabric seemed a better thermal insulator than the aramid. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.