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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Artificial Thermal Ageing of Polyester Reinforced and Polyvinyl Chloride Coated Technical Fabric
Published on: January 29, 2020
On the relationship between fabric processing and ultraviolet radiation transmission
1Department of Design and Merchandising, Colorado State University, 1574 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1574, USA. sarkar@cahs.colostate.edu
Fabric processing significantly impacts ultraviolet radiation transmission. Chemical treatments like bleaching reduce UV protection, while bio-chemical methods preserve it, highlighting the importance of processing history for fabric UV protection factor (UPF).
Area of Science:
- Textile Science
- Materials Science
- Photoprotection
Background:
- The link between fabric properties and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) transmission is known.
- Few studies integrate fiber, construction, and processing history to explain UV protection.
- This study investigates chemical and bio-chemical processing effects on UVR transmission in fabrics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine how fabric processing treatments affect UV radiation transmission.
- To elucidate the role of processing history in the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of fabrics.
- To compare the impact of chemical versus bio-chemical processing on UV protection.
Main Methods:
- Selected eight woven fabrics for chemical processing analysis.
- Characterized fabrics by fiber chemistry, construction, weight, thickness, and processing history.
- Investigated UPF changes after chemical and bio-chemical (enzyme) treatments on cotton knit fabric.
Main Results:
- Fabric physical characteristics (thickness, weight, cover) alone incompletely predict UV protection.
- Processing history is crucial for fully explaining observed ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) values.
- Anomalies in UV protection are resolved when fabric processing history is considered.
Conclusions:
- Chemical processing, including desizing and bleaching, negatively affects UV transmission.
- Bio-chemical processing using enzymes is generally safe for cotton fabric's UV protective ability.
- Processing history is a critical determinant of a fabric's UV protection capabilities.
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