TECHNICAL TEXTILE

OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW
What are technical textiles?
Uses of technical textiles
Materials & properties
PPE
Innovations in PPE

Technical textiles
A technical textile is a textile product
manufactured for non-aesthetic purposes, where
function is the primary criterion (source
Wikipedia)
Not fashion
Not home textiles
Not uphostery

Technical textiles
Most important sector in the EU textile industry
Use
In contact with human body
Medical textiles
Protective clothing

Not in contact with human body / industrial use

Construction
Automotive
Filtration
Insulation

Classification

Classification

Distribution of Technical Textiles

Materials
Classical textile fibres
Cotton
Viscose
Polyester
New materials
Nomex/Kevlar
PBI
PP
HDPE (Dyneema)

Properties
General properties
Very strong
Durable / abrasion resistant
Chemically inert
Flame retardant
Special properties
Anti static
Anti microbial
Insect repellent
Anti soiling
Water repellent
Waterproof

Technical fabrics

Non wovens

Grow areas Technical Textiles

Grow areas

PPE Functionality
PPE is much more than textile materials
PPE has added functionality
Functionalites are multiple:
protection
identification
commercial
communication
discrimination
fashion

PPE Personal Protective Equipment

Major grow market for technical textiles
Many application areas
Company wear
Medical uniforms
Police uniform
Fire brigade
Military clothing
Europe leading in PPE
PPE development stimulated by EU
leadmarket initiative
Research and development
Public procurement as launching market

Fire brigade
Functionality most important
Properties
Flame retardant
Insulation
Mechanical protection
Water proof

Company wear
Where fashion meets functionality
Main functions
Recognisable
Representative
Comfort
Easy to clean
Durable

Medical uniforms
Focus on functionality
Easy to clean
Anti microbial properties
Comfort, mechanical
Thermo physiological properties
Heat and moisture transfer

Hydrophobic
Chemical resistance
Alcohol, disinfectants

Police uniforms
Functionality and protection
Main features
Recognizable
Representative
Protection weather
Comfort
Good thermo physiological
properties
Easy to clean

Soldiers
Main functionality: protection
Mechanical protection (bullet proof, anti stabbing)
Foul weather proof
Chemical resistant
Camouflage

Main problems in PPE

Comfort and heat stress

Freedom of movement
Weight
Tactile precision

Heat balance
Humans function best at a core
temperature of 36-39 C
(homeotherm)
At elevated temperatures risk of
heat stroke
Can be lethal
At low temperature risk of under
cooling

Can be lethal as well

Koud

Warm

Factors influencing heat balance

Individual
Properties & Regulation

Environment

Heat balance

Clothing

Activity

Work, individual and regulation

Heat production at rest:
50 W - 200 W (50 W/m2 - 100 W/m2)

Heat production when working:

750 - 2000 W (375 - 1000 W/m2)

Thermo regulation:
Physiology - acclimatization
Behavior rest, ventilation, cooling

Production sweat: 1-3 l/h

( max. 675 W tot 2025 W cooling), but:
Clothing reduces sweating efficiency

Impermeable Clothing:
Efficiency 0%
PPE might need to be impermeable!

Insulation by clothing
Directly related to thickness
Depending on air flow under
and through cloting
Depending on the total area
covered by clothing
Depending on total effective
surface

What clothing is needed?

Modeling en Simulation

User-oriented (functional) development of PPE

CHOICE

PRE-SELECTION

STANDARDS,
(Occupational Laws)

PROTO-TYPES

MATERIALS

COMFORT:
- Freedom of movement
- Ventilation
- Sizing and Fit
PHYSICAL STRAIN:
- Heat insulation
- Moisture regulation
TASK:
- Bush fire / House
- Working posture
- Working time
PROTECTION:
- Fire
- Ballistic
- Climate

Aspects in the development of PPE

Individual
Working
conditions

Task

PPE

Training &
Education

Information

Development

New
Materials &
Technology

Safety

Testing and evaluating with human subjects

at TNO
Climatic chambers
Warm, Hot, Humidity, Cold, Rain, Radiation
Toxic Whole system CB protection

Ergometers
Treadmill, bicycles, arm work, rowing

Metabolism and Physiology

Breathing Analysis, Heart Rate, Temperature,
Sweat Rate, Blood Flow, Etcetera

Ergonomics Test series Quantify Performance

Loss
Thermal Physiology Modelling

Example: Fire brigades

Eisen brandweerkleding: EN 469

Flame spread test (materiaal)

Warmtetransport - flame (materiaal)
Warmtetransport - radiation (materiaal)
Isolatie stof (materiaal)
Trek- en scheursterktes (materiaal)
Water- en vloeistof-dichtheid (materiaal)
Zichtbaarheid (pak)
Dampdoorlatend (materiaal)
Voldoen deze eisen voor het maken van
functionele brandweerkleding ?

Warmteisolatie
Dampweerstand
Vochtregulatie
Bescherming
Opvallendheid
Bewegingsbeperking

Good design fire fighters clothing ?

Functies van Kleding

Mode & Commercie
Bescherming
Communicatie, Identiteit & Differentiatie
Reductie weerstand
Sterkte & duurzaamheid
Platform voor middelen
Thermische balans

Influence of protective clothing

Hinderance of movement
Increased work load
Less efficient communication
Decrease of comfort
Reduces work capability

Man in protective clothing

Protection
Thick clothing
Many layers
Less movement
Equipment
Standing still
Static
Protection

Performance
Less (no) clothing
Few layers
Movement and work
No equipment
Movement, speed
Dynamic, Flexible
Performance