Thermal resistance of two and three-layer fabric assemblies for extreme cold weather protective clothing

Abstract

Two (FA2) and three (FA3) layer fabric assemblies have been fabricated in different configurations using cloth shirting angola, pile acrylic fabric, non-woven polyester fabric (batting), coated nylon fabric and nappa leather for designing and development of multilayer clothing to provide protection in extreme cold weather. The configurations of FA2 are cloth shirting angola, PU coated nylon fabric; pile acrylic fabric, PU coated nylon fabric; cloth shirting angola, nappa leather; and acrylic pile fabric, nappa leather. On the other hand, the configurations of FA3 are cloth shirting angola, non-woven polyester fabric, PU coated nylon fabric; pile acrylic fabric, non-woven polyester fabric, PU coated nylon fabric; cloth shirting angola, non-woven polyester fabric, nappa leather; and pile acrylic fabric, non-woven polyester fabric, nappa leather. Thermal resistance of these multilayer clothing assemblies has been evaluated using high-resolution FLIR thermal imaging camera operating in 8-12μm waveband and PID controlled Acmas hot plate in natural convection mode. The maximum thermal resistance, offered by FA2 and FA3, are 5.59 and 6.24 tog respectively. Rational spatial configurations of FA2 and FA3 are as per the temperature of human body parts, and these may be used in designing and development of protective clothing for extreme cold weather.