The investigation of barrier and comfort properties of multifunctional coated conductive knitted fabrics

Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate the barrier and comfort properties of protective uncoated and coated-impregnated three-layered knitted fabrics with different arrangements of special yarns, such as conductive yarns and yarns with different filament cross sections. Depending on content (7.5-30%) of conductive PES yarns with carbon core filaments and PES/stainless steel spun yarns, fabrics were grouped into A and B. In order to achieve multifunctional barrier and comfort properties, high porosity polyurethane and fluorocarbon resin coatings were applied. At the beginning of the research, the fabrics of groups A and B were coated with commercially available micro-porous polyurethane foam Tubicoat Õ MB according to the crushed foams method and impregnated with fluorocarbon water-repellent agent Tubiguard Õ 270. The achieved functional, barrier (water and oil repellency, resistance to water penetration, and electrostatic shielding), and comfort (air permeability, water vapor permeability, water retentivity, and drying intensiveness) properties were determined.

Encapsulation of Electrically Conductive Apparel Fabrics: Effects on Performance

“…Published research findings were similar to the present work. Decreased air permeability (ISO BS EN 9237:1995), water vapor permeability (cup method), and water retention (immersion) were reported following surface treatment of microporous polyurethane and fluorocarbon of two groups of electrically conductive three-layered interlock fabrics (67% cotton/33% polyester, carbon core polyester filament, and hollow polyester yarns with polypropylene yarns, or 80% polyester/20% stainless steel yarns) [ 46 ].…”

“…Change with wash [ 15 , 16 , 19 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 28 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ] and with abrasion [ 7 , 16 , 34 , 35 , 43 , 44 ] have received some attention, but change with storage has not been well identified. There is little clarity and consistency in how and the extent to which properties critical to most wear-related applications change: Permeability to air [ 16 , 31 , 45 , 46 , 47 ], permeability to water vapor [ 16 , 46 , 47 ], moisture regain [ 46 , 48 ], thermal resistance [ 24 , 31 , 49 ], contact angle [ 8 , 15 , 28 , 31 , 33 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ].…”

Fabrics and Garments as Sensors: A Research Update

“…The composition of treatments, fabric structure, fiber composition, and methods to determine performance varied, and the trends in performance were inconsistent. Permeability to air, permeability to water vapor, and water retention decreased after functionalization in two investigations [93,131], while another study reported minimal changes in permeability to water vapor and air following functionalization [115]. Thermal conductivity was reported to increase in a different study [65].…”

“…Thermal conductivity was reported to increase in a different study [65]. Changes can be attributed to electrically-conductive treatments encapsulating the fabric, yarn, and/or fiber, causing changes to interstitial spaces [93,115], and fabric thickness [131].…”

“…ISO 11092:2014 Textiles‒Physiological effects‒Measurement of thermal and water-vapor resistance under steady-state conditions (sweating guarded hotplate test) may be more acceptable [198]. Permeability to water vapor was measured with a cup method, and water retention determined with an immersion technique [131] rather than a standard test method such as ISO 11092:2014 Textiles‒Physiological effects‒Measurement of thermal and water-vapor resistance under steady-state conditions (sweating guarded-hotplate test) and BS 7209:1990 Specification for water vapor permeable apparel fabrics (Table S2.) [198,199].…”