Functional Properties of Nonwovens as an Insulating Layer for Protective Gloves

The basic intention of the present work is to analyze the influence of the incorporated microporous membrane and the technology of the needling process on the functional properties of nonwovens designed as an insulating layer for protective gloves for protection against high temperatures. The investigated nonwovens are produced in carded nonwoven formation and mechanically bonded with needle bonding. The studied nonwovens contain a microporous membrane of polyester (PES) with a thickness of 20 µm (samples marked as ST and STL). In the theoretical part of the research work, the nonwovens and some technology stages are presented. The experimental part of the present work deals with the mechanical properties: breaking stress and strain, viscoelastic properties (yield strength, elastic modulus) and elastic recovery after cyclic loading and thermal conduction. In the experimental part, permeability properties (water vapor permeability, air permeability) are also analyzed. The results of the investigation show that the samples marked as ST and STL, which contain a microporous PES membrane, have a higher breaking stress than the samples marked as T and TL without the microporous PES membrane. Samples marked as ST and STL also exhibit higher values of elongation at break and limit of recoverable deformation (stress and strain at yield) and a lower modulus of elasticity than samples marked as T and TL. The samples marked as ST and STL are mechanically bonded to the lamellar plate using forked needles and therefore have a textured (ribbed) shape that affects the improved mechanical properties. The TL and STL samples, which contain a microporous PES membrane, have higher elastic recovery and lower air permeability than the T and TL samples, while water vapor permeability is lower only for the ST sample.