Development of Electromagnetic Shielding Knitted Fabrics and Conceptual Design Proposals for Ergonomic Maternity Clothing

Current study focuses on developing conductive weft-knitted fabrics with electromagnetic shielding properties for potential use in ergonomic maternity clothing. Conductive core-spun yarns were produced by wrapping 40 µm stainless steel wires with cotton fibers via ring spinning and knitted into single jersey, rib (1×1), and interlock structures. The fabrics' electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) and surface resistivity were tested across 0.1 to 3 GHz. Fabrics with higher conductive yarn content showed lower surface resistivity (down to 6.54 × 10⁴ Ω) and higher EMSE, with the best-performing sample achieving 10.09 dB. Shielding effectiveness was strongest at lower frequencies, gradually decreasing as frequency increased. Interlock and rib structures outperformed single jersey due to their denser configurations. Building on these results, a conceptual collection of ergonomic maternity dresses was suggested, emphasizing protection, comfort, sustainability, and the needs of pregnant women.