EXPERIMENTAL TESTING OF THERMOREGULATING TEXTILE CLOTHES WITH MICROENCAPSULATED ORGANIC PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS

This paper presents results related to thermo-physiological efficiency of special underwear where organic PCM integrated in textile through microencapsulation process. The efficiency of PCM underwear was tested through physiological examinations in simulated hot conditions (climate chamber, 40 oC, max. 45 min), where test-subjects voluntarily exposed to heat stress tests wearing NBC protective suit without underwear (option "NoTHERM") and with PCM underwear (option "THERM"). Physiological strain level was determined by measuring volunteer’s heat stress indicators: mean skin temperature (Tsk), body core temperature (Tty), hart rate (HR) and sweat rate (SwR). In climate chamber, compared to "NoTHERM" tests, when using thermoregulation clothes based on PCM (option "THERM"), parameters Tty, Tsk and HR were significantly lower, as well as average SwR. It can be concluded that wearing a textile clothes for body thermoregulation based on integrated organic PCM, under NBC protective suit, reduces sweating and alleviates heat stress manifested by increased core and skin temperature and heart rate values.