Military textiles functional properties

In general, the skin sensorial comfort is negatively affected by hydrophobic and smooth surfaces that easily cling to sweaty skin, or which tend to make textiles stiller. The use of spun yams and hydrophihc treatments improves the skin sensorial wear comfort. These tests are especially important for military clothing treated with insect repellent or flame retardant finishes, as these finishes, while providing functional properties to textiles, may negatively affect their feel and handle. 

Electrically conductive or electroactive fibers are commonly used in protective cloth, filters, and smart and interactive textiles, which could be used in electrical, medical, sports, energy, and military applications. Conductive fibers, especially for commonly used synthetic fiber, can be prepared in core—sheath bicomponent fiber, adding conductive additives in the core part. Functional additives include carbon black, multi-waUed carbon nanotubes, grapheme, ZnO, silver, and conductive polymers [52]. Properties of some conductive libers are listed in Table 2.38. 

Metal oxide nanoparticles such as Ti02, AI2O3, ZnO and MgO possess photocata-lytic and antibacterial activity and UV absorption properties. Textile materials treated with these nanoparticles have been proved to impart antimicrobial, selfdecontaminating and UV-blocking functions for both military protective clothing and civilian health products [51]. 

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