Developing a method of testing resistance to atmospheric factors of multifunctional materials to be used in protective clothing

Project manager: Krzysztof Łężak M.Sc. (Eng.)

Project summary:

The main aim of the task consisted in developing a method of testing resistance of materials for protective clothing to cumulative operation of atmospheric factors. Selected properties of individual kinds of material were tested after exposure to the operation of atmospheric factors in natural conditions. Chances in colour of the tested materials were assessed, mechanical resistance was determined. On the basis of the tests that were conducted after the first exposure to atmospheric factors, the beginning of the ageing process was noticed. It is characterized by decreased mechanical resistance, chemical resistance and surface resistance and very varied changes in the colour of the tested materials. Then a test stand for testing resistance of the discolouring of clothing materials to light was adapted to simulate in laboratory conditions the operation of atmospheric factors on clothing materials. After exposure to atmospheric factors in conditions of the so-called artificial weather, the materials were tested for - resistance to tearing and breaking - surface resistance of antielectrostatic materials - indicators of permeation, resistance to moisture and adsorption of diluted acids and alkali by materials protecting against the operation of liquid chemical substances - spreading of flames and assessment of the degree of used in clothing protecting against hot factors after 2400-hour exposure to the operation of atmospheric factors in natural conditions - coordinates of chromaticity and the luminance index of the background materials of warning clothing after radiation in a xenotest without operation of artificial weather to determine the influence of atmospheric conditions to the dynamics of colour changes. The tests that were conducted were followed by the development of a procedure.

Unit: Department of Personal Protective Equipment

Duration: 01.01.2008 – 30.05.2010