Relationships between physical textile properties and human comfort during wear trials of chemical biological protective garment systems

A two phase design was used to investigate the ability of textile properties to predict the comfort of chemical/biological (CB) protective clothing. In phase I differences in various forms of dry and evaporative heat transfer, moisture vapour transfer, moisture absorption and air permeability among CB fabric systems were determined.; In phase II, data from wear trials of CB garments, comprising physiological and subjective comfort measures were supplied by the Department of National Defence. Pearson's correlations determined relationships between textile properties and wear trial measures. Multiple linear regressions were used to determine which textile properties would best predict human responses.; Differences in physiological and subjective measures reflected differences in textile properties. Regression models indicate that different physical textile properties determine different physiological measures, but the same physical properties determine corresponding subjective comfort measures. Regression models suggest that it is necessary to measure only one or two textile properties to predict comfort.