Investigations of the construction of materials with superabsorbents under hermetic protective clothing in order to improve its comfort of use

Project manager: Grażyna Bartkowiak Ph.D. (Eng.)

Project summary:

The aim of this research task was to decrease physiological discomfort related to the use of hermetic protective clothing and caused by large amounts of secreted sweat. This can be done by using - in the structure of the clothing - materials with superabsorbents that are capable of absorbing a considerable amount of water vapour and liquid. It was assumed that appropriately constructed materials with superabsorbents - used in protective clothing - should intensively absorb sweat as vapour and liquid, and should properly change the microclimate near the user's skin. They should also decrease the discomfort caused by liquid sweat.The obtained results proved that the use of nonwoven sweat-absorbing inserts under hermetic protective clothing significantly decreases the humidity of the microclimate. There was no significant influence of the kind of underwear with sweat-absorbing inserts on the level of the microclimate and the subjects' perception, which shows that sweat-absorbing inserts can be used even with traditional cotton underwear.

Unit: Department of Personal Protective Equipment

Duration: 01.04.2002 – 31.10.2004