Development of Infrared Reflective Textiles and Simulation of Their Effect in Cold-Protection Garments

Abstract

Two ways of to enhance the heat insulation of cold-protecting garments are studied using the mathematical model, which describes the coupled transport of temperature, humidity, and bound and condensed water. The model is developed in a one-dimensional formulation. The thermal radiation transport is explicitly considered by the subdivision of the heat flux into radiative and conduction parts. The model is utilized to study the improvement of heat-insulating properties of cold protective garments using aerogel materials and thin infrared reflective textile layers. Special attention is paid to the technological aspects of manufacturing such reflective textiles. The numerical investigations show that the use of infrared reflective textiles is the most effective of the two studied methods. Due to the reflection of the radiant heat flow coming from the human body, the skin temperature rises and the thermal insulation of clothing is significantly improved.