Analyzing thermal-moisture comfort and thermal protective performance of phase change materials dripped protective clothing

Abstract

The objective of the study was to alleviate the thermal-moisture comfort (TMC) of phase change material (PCM) thermal protective clothing, while simultaneously enhancing thermal protective performance (TPP) by a drip molding process. Nine types of PCM dripped fabrics were prepared by the drip molding process and served as comfort layers of thermal protective clothing. The TMC and TPP of the fabric systems were measured. A new method was proposed to balance the TMC and TPP of thermal protective clothing. The results demonstrated that the drip molding process marginally weakened the TMC while substantially enhancing the TPP of fabric systems. But the TMCs of the PCM dripped fabrics were far larger than the PCM coated fabric. Specifically, an increase in droplet diameter led to a decline in TMC and an improvement in TPP, whereas an increase in droplet interval resulted in an enhancement in TMC and a decrease in TPP. The findings obtained in this study can be used to engineer fabric systems that provide better protection for heat stress and skin burns.