Evaluation of Fine Denier and Microdenier Multifilament Fabrics.

摘要

The objective of this program is to investigate commercially available fabrics that are lightweight and offer equal or improved water repellency, greater durability, and are quick to dry compared to MIL-C-3924, Cloth, Oxford, Cotton Warp and Nylon Filling, Quarpel Treated. MIL-C-3924 is one of the military's lightest weight water repellent fabrics and is used in the Snow Camouflage Overwhites and various hood components and caps. The water repellency properties of the fabrics are to be achieved without the benefit of coatings or membranes. Fine and microdenier fiber fabrics were evaluated because they have been marketed as being inherently water repellent and moisture vapor permeable, due to their dense, compact fabric structure, which is obtained from domestic and foreign sources and evaluated for a variety of strength, and water and oil repellency properties. The water and oil repellency performance of the microdenier fabrics was superior to the standard oxford fabric. As fabric weight decreases, the microdenier fiber fabrics fall from good to poor in terms of tensile and tearing strength properties. In addition, the peach skin finish also further decreases the tensile and tearing strength properties. The fine denier Supplex fabric was not as water repellent as the microdenier fiber fabric and fell short on dynamic absorption and filling tearing strength, but meets the desired performance goals for a lighter weight and quick drying fabric.