In this study, it is aimed to characterize the mechanical and comfort properties of para-aramid protective gloves integrated with yarns having high comfort properties. For this purpose, different gloves have been designed with the combination of para-aramid and Type A (a blend of 85% polyester and 15% cotton fibres), Type B (polyester yarn with a cross-shaped cross section) or Type C (a channeled polyester yarn) yarns by using plating knitting technique. Cut resistance, body movement comfort (elasticity), thermo-physiological comfort (air permeability, thermal conductivity and water vapor permeability—WVP) and moisture management properties of these gloves were tested and evaluated statistically. The results revealed that fabric produced with para-aramid yarns in the face and back sides (P/P_b) exhibits higher cut protection performance. Since these fabrics have lower elasticity, moisture transport capacity, thermal conductivity and WVP values, the use of para-aramid yarn as inner layer of the fabric (next to skin) leads to an uncomfortable feeling. Using Type C yarn as back material (next to skin) provides enhanced characteristics in terms of thermo-physiological comfort and moisture transport capacity. Also this fabric supports body movement comfort with a good elasticity property while its cut protection performance preserves at the same level like fabric produced with para-aramid yarns in the face and back sides (P/P_b).

This paper aims to analyse the effect of coating, fabric layers and structural parameters on the impact resistance behaviour of warp knitted spacer fabrics used for protective clothing. For this purpose, six warp knitted spacer fabrics were produced by varying thickness and mesh structure and were coated with a silicone substrate. A drop-weight impact tester was used to determine the impact resistance characteristics of the samples. The results indicate that, the impact resistance properties of warp knitted spacer fabrics can be improved considerably by coating as reducing approximately 10 kN of the peak transmitted force. Also, the structural parameters such as fabric thickness and mesh structure have significant effects on impact resistance behaviour of the samples. The fabrics with higher thickness and smaller size mesh on the outer layers have better impact resistance properties. Additionally, the lamination of spacer fabrics can effectively improve the impact resistance characteristics of the spacer fabrics. The warp knitted spacer fabrics can be used as an energy absorbing material for body protection by varying their structural parameters, fabric lamination and/or by coating.

Para-aramid fibers, known for their remarkable strength and thermal stability, are frequently employed in protective textiles for military and aerospace applications. However, continuous exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage their protective characteristics. This study analyzes the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) and UV transmittance of woven fabrics produced from 30/2 Ne spun para-aramid yarns in the warp and 10 Ne core-spun yarns in the weft. The weft yarns consisted of three sheath fibers—para-aramid, meta-aramid, and polyester—in combination with different specialty core materials. The results show significant differences in UPF before and after UV exposure, with para-aramid sheaths giving the highest improvement. UV exposure caused structural changes in the fibers, resulting in increased UV protection, particularly in fabrics with para-aramid sheaths. This study concludes that the combination of para-aramid fibers with specific core materials significantly enhances UV protection, making them well-suited for applications in high UV exposure environments.

Spacer fabrics can be produced by using weaving or nonwoven techniques besides warp and weft knitting processes. Warp knitted spacer fabrics are produced by using polyester multifilament and monofilament yarns for surface layers and spacer yarn, respectively. After knitting process, surface layers of these fabrics are in the closed form. Then these fabrics are subjected to a heat-setting treatment in order to increase their structural stability and to achieve an open form with holes. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the effect of heat-setting conditions on the performance characteristics of the warp knitted spacer fabrics. Mass per unit area, thickness, air permeability, compressibility, dimensional stability and compression set properties were measured and evaluated statistically in order to determine the effects of heat-setting conditions such as temperature, duration of heat-setting and stretching (the tension applied to the samples during heat-setting) on the performance characteristics. The results revealed that, heat-setting process has significant effect on all measured performance characteristics of the samples. After heat-setting process, air permeability and compressibility values increases while mass per unit area and compression set values decreases.

Thermal comfort has become an important parameter for clothing design. Factors affecting the thermal behavior of clothing are numerous and they include thermal insulation, transfer of moisture and vapor through clothing and heat exchange, etc. The aim of this study is to investigate the thermal comfort characteristics of knitted structures produced by using two different engineered yarns with the constructions of single jersey and pique. The air permeability, thermal resistance, thermal absorptivity, and water vapor permeability characteristics were tested. Besides the evaluation of the effects of yarn type and fabric construction, the fabrics were also categorized as dyed and undyed in order to analyze the effect of dyeing on the characteristics of fabrics. The results revealed that air permeability and thermal resistance values decreased after the dyeing process, while thermal absorptivity values increased. Pique fabric construction and fabrics produced with 100% engineered polyester yarn exhibit higher air permeability, higher thermal resistance, and lower thermal absorptivity attributes.

In this study, dimensional, physical, visual and thermal comfort properties of fabrics knitted with elastic core cotton slub yarns were analyzed. The yarn production methods (core slub yarn and conventional slub yarn) were also compared according to the fabric properties. Additionally, the influence of slub yarn production parameters (slub thickness ratio and slub length) on the previously mentioned properties were investigated. The results indicated that elastic core fabrics produced with slub length 10 mm exhibited lower spirality property than the other fabrics. Due to their higher thermal conductivity, thermal absorptivity and relative water vapor permeability properties, fabrics produced with slub length 10 mm or slub thickness ratio 2.0 can be preferable for hot climate clothes without regard to yarn production techniques.