SEDL / STP / STP1386-EB / STP14453S

The Relationship Between Porosity and Barrier Effectiveness of Some Shell Fabrics Used in Protective Apparel

McCord, MG
Assistant professor and professor, College of TextilesNorth Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

Birla, K
Assistant manager, Vijay Chemical Industries, Thane,

Barker, RL
Assistant professor and professor, College of TextilesNorth Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

Pages: 15    Published: Jan 2000

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Abstract

The porosity of twenty-two fabric samples was evaluated using image analysis. The relationship between the optical porosity and vapor penetration was investigated using a permeation test apparatus. A model was derived based on Whelan's equation for the resistance of fabric to diffusion of vapor, and the model was fit to the penetration data. The model fit the data fairly well, and may be used for some fabrics to predict the amount of vapor penetration under a null pressure gradient.