Thermal Protection Performance Evaluation Based on Structural Composition Changes of the Intermediate-Layer Fabric in Thermal Protective Clothing

This study is a follow-up to ‘Research on the Development of Fabrics for Industrial and Firefighting Protective Clothing and Comparison of Flame Retardant Performance,’ focusing on the thermal protection performance of clothing designed to protect the human body from high temperatures and heat in industrial settings and fire scenarios. In this study, additional thermal protection performance tests were conducted to provide a more comprehensive analysis. Aside from the flame-retardant performance evaluation conducted according to ISO 15025 on 12 base fabrics with different yarn compositions, the following thermal performance studies were carried out: radiant heat protection (ISO 9151), convective heat protection (ISO 6942), and combined radiant and convective heat protection (ISO 17492). The heat-transfer index of the intermediate layer, which plays a crucial role in the thermal protection performance of thermal clothing, was also assessed. The results indicated that although most of the 12 base fabrics offered a certain level of thermal protection, some of them melted and failed to provide adequate thermal protection.