Mandal Sumit, Chowdhury Ishmam Zahin, Mazumder Nur-Us-Shafa, Agnew Robert J, Boorady Lynn M
Department of Design and Merchandising, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-5061, USA.
Textile Protection and Comfort Center, Wilson College of Textiles, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27606-3700, USA.
Polymers (Basel). 2022 Dec 9;14(24):5393. doi: 10.3390/polym14245393.
Absorption and transportation of moisture from sweat are the crucial properties of the fabrics used in performance clothing. Sweat moisture is a significant factor that may cause discomfort to the wearer. The majority of the injuries and fatalities that happen to the high-risk sector workers in their line of duty may be caused by inadequate comfort provided by the protective uniform. The purpose of this study is to scientifically investigate the sweat drying performance of the different protective fabrics used in high-risk sectors' workers' clothing. Firstly, this study experimentally analyzed the sweat drying of protective fabrics with different attributes under various ambient environments and wearers' internal physiology. Secondly, this study explained the phenomena of sweat drying in protective fabric through the theory of heat and mass transfer. Sweat drying performance of the fabrics used in functional clothing mainly depends on the evaporative resistance regardless of the presence of water and oil repellent coating on the fabric surface. The drying performance increases with the increased wetted area and increased air flow. The wetted area depends on the absorption and wicking properties of the fabrics. The findings of this research will advance the field by developing knowledge on sweat drying performance of fabrics used in protective clothing; in turn, this could provide better comfort and safety to high-risk sectors' workers.
汗液中水分的吸收与传输是功能性服装所用织物的关键特性。汗液水分是可能给穿着者带来不适的一个重要因素。高危行业工人在工作过程中发生的大多数伤亡事件，可能是由防护服提供的舒适度不足所致。本研究的目的是科学地探究高危行业工人服装中使用的不同防护织物的汗液干燥性能。首先，本研究通过实验分析了不同特性的防护织物在各种环境条件和穿着者内部生理状况下的汗液干燥情况。其次，本研究通过传热传质理论解释了防护织物中汗液干燥的现象。功能性服装所用织物的汗液干燥性能主要取决于蒸发阻力，而与织物表面是否存在拒水拒油涂层无关。干燥性能随湿润面积和气流的增加而提高。湿润面积取决于织物的吸收和芯吸性能。本研究结果将通过拓展对防护服所用织物汗液干燥性能的认识来推动该领域的发展；反过来，这可为高危行业工人提供更好的舒适度和安全性。
