Textiles are no more limited for use as apparels clothing is just are but not the only purpose of textiles with the rapid changes in the social economic structure of our society. Many efforts are made to some and protect human life. Textiles come to our help in every walk of life. Similarly, textiles enhancing the quality of human life trough protection against various hazards as well as protections of environment are today's priorities were scientist all around the world are breaking their heads. Protective textiles are the fastest growing area of textile consumption in the world. As per the market survey it has projected an average growth rate of 4% for technical textiles during the period 2000-2010. In most of the developed countries, Protective textile already account for 4% of the total textile production.

Even in many developing countries, the proportion is well above 10%. At present, India's contribution in this area is negligible at about 0.2%.However, due to competition from neighboring countries ad emerging economic power, India has tremendous potential for production, Consumption and export of Protective textile. A market that is receptive to new products and suppliers and abounding with markets. The environment is consider to have the highest priority where protection of individual is considered un the defence application such as rain, snow, fog, wind, lighting, sun light, dust and also it should have to survive the intense heat, cold, wetness, UV light, wind-chill and other discomforts on land, sea and in the air.

1.Introduction

Textiles for protection is the fruit of a diverse body of talents, drawing together scientific and technical expertise from around the world, to produce an important source of current knowledge on textile materials and clothing, and their use in the protection of humans in hostile environments. It will be invaluable for all those working in the safety and protective fabrics industry and all concerned in health and safety in a wide variety of industries. It will also be an important work for health and safety workers in the ministry of defence, police and fire service.

2.Protective Clothing Compilation

Productive clothing can be divided in to the following groups:
Clothing against heat and flame
Clothing against mechanical impacts
Fire mens protective clothing
Clothing against cold
Clothing against foul weather(moisture wind)
Clothing against chemical substances (gas liquids, particles)
Clothing against radio active contamination

2.1.Extreme Cold

Cold protection requires products with high degrees of insulation, the least bulk, good/relative comfort, and still allowing good dexterity for doing useful work. Still air is a poor conductor of heat, so insulation requires a layer of still air between the skin the source of the heat or cold.

2.2.Ballistic Protective Materials

Most military casualties which are due to high speed ballistic projectiles are not caused by bullets. The main threat is from fragmenting devices. In combat, this means in particular grenades, mortars, artillery shells, mines, and improvised explosive devises used by the terrorists. There may also be casualties from the secondary effects of bombs including collapsing buildings, exploding air craft, sinking ships and flying debris.

Shield technology lays the parallel strands of synthetic fibres side by-side and holds them in place with a thermoplastic resin, creating a unidirectional tape. Two layers of the tape are then cross plied at right angles (0 or 90) and fused in to a composite structure under heat and pressure. The cross plied unidirectional panels are then pre consolidated into rolls, which are used to make the finished products.

KEVLAR is an advanced technology that helps transform the ordinary to the extraordinary. It combines high strength with light weight, and comfort with protection. Kevlar, one of the most popular ballistic fibers, is a synthetic material developed by DuPont, with about 5 times the tensile strength of steel by weight. When a handgun bullet strikes body armor, it is caught in a web of very strong fibers. These fibers absorb and disperse the impact energy that is transmitted to the vest from the bullet, causing the bullet to deform or mushroom. Additional energy is absorbed by each successive layer of material in the vest, until such time as the bullet has been stopped.

In the early 1970s, DuPont commercialized aramid fiber, under the trade name Kevlar. Long aramid molecules were dissolved and then spun into fibers that were stretched as they solidified. This process oriented the long molecules along the length of the fiber, greatly increasing the finished fiber's tensile strength (Kevlar 29: 2.9 to 3.0 Gpa, weight of 1.44 g/cc). Originally developed to replace steel in the reinforcement belts of car and truck tires, aramid proved useful as well for bulletproof vests.

Ballistic Protective Helmet

2.3.Personnel Protective clothing

Breathable fabrics

One of the prime requisites of protective clothing and other supporting equipments is breathable fabrics. These fabrics are widely used in many extreme cold weather and Glacier clothing. The science and technology involved to develop these fabrics is not available in the country and only few countries have successfully developed these fabrics that meet the stringent requirements of sub zero conditions. Breathable fabrics for individual protective clothing Micro porous and Monolithic based.

The quantitative requirements are as under:

Water vapour permeability 3000 to 5000 g/ m2 / 24 hr.
Water proofness min. 130 cm, hydrostatic pressure.
Wind proofness  less than 1.5 ml/cm2/sec at 1m bar.

2.4.Chemical Protection

Protective clothing is used for chemical production is categorized from high to low, level A D. fabrics containing electrometric barriers such as butyl rubber provide excellent protection from chemical warfare agents, but wearers can use the clothing only intermittently due to rapid on set of heat stress, motion restriction, and weight. These fabric systems are heavy bulky and subject the soldiers to heat stress under high workload and battlefield conditions.

2.5.Biological Protection

Biological protection comes in two categories. The first is the protection of humans and earth from harm. It usually involves stopping disease (or other kind of damages) from either natural sources or human cause accidents. The second is protection of potential new alien life forms from harm. It involves stopping humans from damaging alien life in space.

GORE CHEMPAK products deliver functional effectiveness in chemical and biological environments. With a range of features and benefits like breathability, mobility, and lighter weight they help military and civil defense personnel and first responders operate more effectively.

Gentex's Lifetex fabrics provide unparalleled protection against chemical, biological and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Research, development and manufacture of these superior technical textiles for chemical and biological protection began over 25 years ago and further accelerated as evolving U.S. military personnel needs were identified during the first Persian Gulf War.

2.5.1. Advanced EOD Bomb Suit and Helmet

An advanced design bomb suit and helmet that offers highest ballistic protection in the world. The suit is constructed from Kevlar with an outer anti static cover of 50/50 Nomex/Kevlar and comprises of a jacket, crotch-less trousers, groin cup and rigid ballistic panels. The suit itself is light weight in comparison with other suits, with frond protection plates and this maneuverability reduces operator fatigue and increases operator effectiveness.

2.5.2.NBC Lightweight Overboot

It provides more than 24hr protection against chemical warfare agents. It can be fully decontaminated due to its smooth all butyl surface. Boot ensures excellent thermal isolation provided by double liner system, using a quarter inch pp-foam-polyester/viscose inner liner with a 3/8 in pp- wool / radiantex outer liner.

Lighter then all existing ECW boots within its category, the boot has a polyester shell with a moisture vapour permeable (MVP) barrier layer, assuring water resistance, good breathability and dryness in all weather conditions.

2.6.Heat Protective Protection

Microtherm has been one of the leading high temperature thermal insulation materials. It is a better insulation even than still air and at high temperatures has a thermal conductivity as much as four times lowers than most conventional insulations such as fibre. Microtherm products cover a comprehensive range in both rigid and flexible forms, facilitating neat and effective design solutions to the many diverse thermal problems that can be encountered in military equipments.

A heat resistant woven fabric with an optional aluminized backing is disclosed. The fabric is particularly suited for heat resistant garments intended to resist radiant heat and heavy molten metal splashes in the temperature range of 2700.degree.-3000.degree. F. The preferred fabric has core-spun yarns with a flame and high heat resistant filament core covered by a layer of flame retardant fibers consisting of at least 35% melamine. 3M Nextel Ceramic Textiles and Composites provide innovative solutions in industries from aerospace to petroleum refining to metal processing. The outstanding thermal protection provided by Nextel Fabrics, Tapes and Sleevings allows engineers and manufacturers to handle high temperature applications up to 2500 F (1371C).

3.Sun Protective Clothing

The aim of sun protective clothing is to reduce a person's UVR exposure

Many types of radiation emitted by the sun, mainly visible (light) and infrared (heat) reach the earth's surface. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is also present but we cannot see it or feel it. Ozone in the atmosphere absorbs much of the dangerous UVR before it reaches the ground but we can still receive enough to cause sunburn and more serious health problems. Exposure to UVR can cause not only sunburn but also lasting skin damage. This may result in premature skin ageing and skin cancer. UVR can also cause eye disorders such as cataracts.

3.1. UPF of a fabric

Different fabrics have different UVR-absorbing properties.

Less UVR passes through tightly woven or knitted fabrics.
Darker colours usually block more UVR.
Heavier weight fabrics usually block more UVR than light fabrics of the same type.
Garments that are overstretched, wet or worn out may have reduced UVR protection

The UPF rating on many garments indicates clearly how good the fabric is at blocking UVR but the design of the garment also needs to be considered. Shirts with long sleeves and high collars, hats that shade the face and protect the back of the neck and ears are most effective. Loose fitting clothing is usually more protective than tight fitting clothing.

3.2. UPF Ratings and Protection Categories

The Standard states that the highest UPF rating garments may be labelled with is 50. Garments made from fabrics with ratings higher than 50 are labelled as UPF 50 .

Sun-protective clothing offers another way to protect skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Sun-protective fabrics differ from typical summer fabrics in several ways: they typically have a tighter weave or knit and are usually darker in color. Sun-protective clothes have a label listing the garment's Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) value, that is, the level of protection the garment provides from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. The higher the UPF, the higher the protection from the sun's UV rays. The UPF rating indicates how much of the sun's UV radiation is absorbed by the fabric. For example, a fabric with a UPF rating of 20 only allows 1/20th of the sun's UV radiation to pass through it. This means that this fabric will reduce your skin's UV radiation exposure by 20 times where it's protected by the fabric. Everything above UPF 50 may be labeled UPF 50 ; however, these garments may not offer substantially more protection than those with a UPF of 50. Also, a garment shouldn't be labeled "sun-protective" or "UV-protective" if its UPF is less than 15. Sun-protective clothing may lose its effectiveness if it's too tight or stretched out, damp or wet, and if it has been washed or worn repeatedly.

3.3. Protection from UV radiation

Avoid going outdoors in the middle of the day (10am to 2pm) when the sun is highest (11am to 3pm during daylight saving). This practice can dramatically reduce your UVR exposure.

When outdoors, choose shaded areas where you cannot directly see the sun or the open sky.

Wear well designed clothing that covers the arms and legs as well as the body.

Wear a broad-brimmed hat which shades the face, ears and back of the neck.

Wear sunglasses when outdoors.

Apply at least SPF 15 sunscreen to all areas of the body that are not covered by clothing.

Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or activities causing heavy perspiration as sunscreens do wear off.

Young children do not understand the dangers of UVR. Protect them with shade, suitable clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Well designed sun protective clothing is available in children's sizes.

4.Structures for high performance applications.

(Multidimensional / Multi axial / triaxial fabrics for aero space, ballistic and composite applications)
Multi dimensional fabrics with yarns oriented in the thickness direction are available commercially and are built up on one insertion (single layer) at a time. A true 3D weaving process with multiple filling insertions is commercially available under the trademark 3D weaving. This process is inherently 3D from the onset and does not involve the building up of multilayer. Unlike conventional biaxial weaving that involves two orthogonal sets of yarn oriented in 0o and 90o directions, multi axial has yarn sets oriented in other directions in addition to above directions. In multi axial weaving, yarns are oriented in (0 /-qo). Triaxial and lappet weaving are examples of modifications to basic weaving.
The multiaxial / multidimensional fabrics offer significant technical advantages for composite applications and eliminate some of the inherent drawbacks of biaxial woven fabrics. The fabrics offer the following advantages.

Better load bearing capacity in different directions.

Reduced delamination failure and higher level of damage tolerance / resistance.

Better interface between substrate and matrix.

Optimum realization of tensile properties due to low crimp.

Better distribution of tension on all the yarns.

Architecture structural fabrics can be designed that can not be achieved with conventional weaving.

5.CONCLUSION

The Protective textile market is respective to innovative new products. There is opportunity and need for functional, cost-effective materials. But the market is fragmented and complex. Development and lead times are often long and expensive. The market is quite small but exhibits moderately strong growth and produces are generally of high unit values. Due to increasing health and safety issues at work this may be an increasingly attractive segment. Good products are needed and they must work well. It is a market that offers opportunity, but also one that demands that much development and testing be done prior to adopting new products. There may be long lead times much resistance to things new products to market. The truth is, we can not afford not to have the ideas and products.

6. Reference

S.B. Ghosh, P. Bajaj and V.K. Kothari, Effect of Dyes and Finishes on UV Protection of Jute/Cotton Fabrics, Indian J. of Fibre & Textile Res., Vol. 28, Dec. 2003, 431-436.

2. P. Bajaj, V.K. Kothari and S.B. Ghosh, Some Innovations in UV Protective Clothing, Indian J. Fibre & Textile Res., Vol. 25, December 2000, 315-329. Givoni, B., and Goldman, R. F., Predicting Rectal Temperature Response to Work, Environment, and Clothing, J. Appl. Physiol. 32(6), 812-822 (1972).

Crown, E.M. (2001, December). Investigation of Flame Retardance in Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) Protective Clothing. PWGSC File No. EDM-7-00489. Prepared for Defence Research Establishment Suffield, Medicine Hat, Alberta (55 pp.).

Grant, T.L., & Crown, E.M. (2001). Electrostatic properties of thermal-protective fabric systems: Part 1, Simulation of garment layer separation. Journal of The Textile Institute, 92 Part 1, 395-402.

Gonzalez, J.A., King, M.W., & Dhir, A. (2000). Thermal protective textiles: Correlation between FR properties and static propensity. In K. Kuklane and I. Holmer (Eds), Proceedings of the NOKOBETEF 6 and 1st European Conference on Protective Clothing (pp. 119-122), Stockholm, Sweden, May 7-10, 2000. Solna, Sweden: National Institute for Working Life.

Crown E. M., Ackerman M. Y., Dale J. D., & Tan Y. (1998). Design and Evaluation of Thermal Protective Flight suits. Part II: Instrumented Mannequin Evaluation. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 16(2), 79-87.

Davis, S., Capjack, L., Kerr, N., & Fedosejevs, R. (1997). Clothing as protection from ultraviolet radiation: which fabric is most effective? International Journal of Dermatology, 36, 374-379.

Capjack L., Davis S., & Kerr N. (1994). Textiles and UV [Ultraviolet] Radiation. Canadian Textile Journal, 111(3), 14-15.

Crown, E.M., Smy, P.R., Rizvi, S.A., & Gonzalez, J.A. (1995, June). Ignitions Hazards due to Electrostatic Discharges from Protective Fabrics under Dry Conditions. Report prepared for Alberta Occupational Health and safety Heritage Grant Program (57 pp.).

Mell, W. E., and Lawson, J. R., A Heat Transfer Model for Fire Fighter's Protective Clothing, National Institute of Standards and Technology, NISTIR 6299, January 1999.
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About the author:

I am doing PG Diploma in Home Textile Management.I did my Diploma in Textile Technology & B.Tech in Textile Technology from PSG College of Technology & Polytechnic College. After my diploma I worked as a Production & maintenance Supervisor in Cambodia Mills (NTC) Coimbatore, after three years of experience I came back to my B.Tech.I did 17 paper presented in various technical symposiums, national & international confrences in all over india and i participated in various technical workshops & innovative project works. I published several articles in journals,magazines.
Area of Interest: innovative textiles, Technical textiles
Email: dgk_psgtech@yahoo.co.in

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