Textile Materials with SMA Elements for Active Protection against Heat and Flame

Abstract:

The latest research directions related to the design of protective clothing concern implementation of smart materials, such as shape memory alloys (SMA), that allow for its functionalization which could not be achieved with traditional materials. As a result of the research project, a thermo-mechanical treatment program of a nickel-titanium alloy has been elaborated. This program allows to obtain active elements in a form of conical springs that are characterized by two-way shape memory effect and predestined for implementation into protective clothing. Textile materials with SMA elements intended for clothing protecting against flame, radiant heat and molten splashes have been developed and manufactured. Laboratory tests aimed at evaluation of the obtained shape change effect were performed according to the specially modified testing methodology. The test results indicated that SMA elements caused an improvement of the protective properties of textile materials due to their increased thickness and creation of an additional air layer. On the basis of the achieved results, it can be also stated that protection performance of clothing according to the EN ISO 11612:2015 can be increased from level 1 to level 2 by means of textile materials with SMA elements.

• Periodical: Advances in Science and Technology (Volume 100)
• Pages: 11-16
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AST.100.11
• Online since: October 2016
• Authors: Grażyna Bartkowiak*, Anna Dąbrowska
• Keywords: Shape Memory Alloys, Shape Memory Materials, Smart Protective Clothing, Thermal Protection

References

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[2] C.G. Cho, Shape memory materials, in: G. Cho (Eds. ), Smart Clothing, Technology and Applications, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2010, pp.189-221.

[3] L. Sun et al., Stimulus-responsive shape memory materials: A review, 33 (2012) 577-640.

[4] G. Bartkowiak, R. Hrynyk, E. Irzmańska, Clothing, gloves and footwear to protect against heat and flame. Part I: Guidance for selection and use (for users) (in Polish), CIOP-PIB, Warsaw, (2010).

[5] EN 12127: 1997 Textiles - Fabrics - Determination of mass per unit area using small samples.

DOI: 10.3403/01281884u

[6] EN ISO 5084: 1996 Textiles - Determination of thickness of textiles and textile products.

[7] EN ISO 6942: 2002 Protective clothing - Protection against heat and fire - Method of test: Evaluation of materials and material assemblies when exposed to a source of radiant heat.

DOI: 10.3403/30381959

[8] EN ISO 11612: 2015 Protective clothing - Clothing to protect against heat and flame - Minimum performance requirements.

DOI: 10.3403/30302148