The impact of ultraviolet light exposure on the performance of polybenzidimazole and polyaramid fabrics: Prediction of end-of-life performance
Source abstract
Abstract
This study evaluated the deterioration in thermo-mechanical and performance properties of the polyaramid and polybenzidimazole fabric used in firefighters’ protective clothing after exposure to ultraviolet irradiation, and the effect of weathering. The performance of firefighters’ protective clothing plays an important role in protection against heat and physical threats to firefighters. However, frequent exposure to heat and ultraviolet irradiation can deteriorate performance. Test results demonstrated a 79% drop in the residual strength of polybenzidimazole/Kevlar® fabric and a 51% drop in the residual strength of polyaramid (Nomex® IIIA). The results confirmed that heat accelerates the degradation of PBI, resulting in lower performance, an important consideration for firefighters’ protective clothing. In this study, a new ‘UVPro-Tex’ sensor was developed, with the capability to record the amount of ultraviolet irradiation absorbed by the fabric. When the amount of the absorbed ultraviolet irradiation reaches a critical value, the sensor warns the wearer of the end-of-life of the garment.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Occupational Health and Performance · Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders · Textile materials and evaluations
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Centre for Advanced Materials and Performance Textiles, RMIT University, Victoria, Australia
Bruck Textiles, Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia
Inovia Limited, Oxford, UK
School of Communication and Design (Fashion Merchandising), RMIT University Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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