Resistance to Thermal and Moisture Transmission and Durability of Candidate Rainwear Fabrics

摘要

The current in-service raincoat used by the Army is considered unsuitable for operations in northern Australia due to its lack of 'breathability'. Breathability in a raincoat is directly related to the ability of the fabric to transport heat and moisture vapor at a rate that will keep the body in a state of thermal equilibrium under operational conditions. Five candidate fabrics were tested for their durability and resistance to the transport of heat and moisture vapor. The waterproof component of two of the fabrics was a coating while the other three were waterproofed using semi- permeable membranes. From a comfort viewpoint the worst fabric was that currently used in the in-service raincoat.