Thermophysiological properties

This research focuses mainly on one of the least exploited properties of spacer fabrics the elastic properties. Considering that the best attribute of spacer fabrics is their thermophysiological properties, a combination of these with the elastic properties gave birth to a very important medical application compression ther y. This research has focused on pressure garments, namely knee braces and pressure garments for third degree bums. 

The main objective of this project was to characterise and develop novel three-dimensional knitted stmetures with improved thermophysiological properties to be used in knee braces and bum garments. It was the intention to develop a mathematical model of these structures which relates the tensile properties of each of the different stmetures with its elastic properties as a way to predict Ihe level of compression on the patient s limb. 

Two pq)ers have been previously published which discussed the development of novel three-dimoisional spacer fabrics for knee braces. In these publicadons a thorough analysis of the tensile and thermophysiological properties of each of the structures developed was also presented and critically compared with commercially available fabrics for the same end-use [3,4]. 

The dim isional, tensile and thermophysiological properties of most of the materials referred to in ftiis ptep t have already been discussed in previous publications [3,4], however, the tensile prrqroties will be presented again in this pupa as the authors find it relevant en establishing relarionships between tensile and elastic properties of these fabrics. 

Mecheels, J., Umbach, K.H., 1976. Thermophysiological properties of clothing systems. Melliand Textilber. 57 (12), 1029-1032. 

Wool and cotton fibres are still iding applications in leisure wear. S5 thetic fibres can either be modified during manufacture, for example, by producing hollow fibres and fibres with irregular cross-section, or be optimally blended with natural fibres to improve their thermophysiological and sensory properties. Synthetic fibres with improved ultraviolet (UV) resistance and having antimicrobial properties are also commercially available for use in sportswear. 

Its lack of thermophysiological comfort properties because it has little capability of absorbing large amounts of moisture from the human... 

In addition to the test methods for thermophysiological parameters, there are test methods to measure the mechanical properties of the warp-krutted spacer fabrics. Among other things, the buckling behaviour and the rigidity of the warp-knitted spacer fabrics are of significant interest because they characterize the freedom of... 

Varshney, R.K., Kothari, V.K., Dhamija, S., 2011. A study on thermophysiological comfort properties of fabrics in relation to constituent fiber fineness and cross-sectional shape. J. Text. Inst. 101 (6), 495-505. 

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