Tri-Layered Bicomponent Microfilament Composite Fabric for Highly Efficient Cold Protection.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Functional fabrics for cold environments are in high demand.
• Existing materials often lack a balance of insulation, breathability, and comfort.
• Need for advanced textiles in extreme weather conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate a novel tri-layered bicomponent microfilament composite fabric.
• To evaluate the fabric's cold protection, water resistance, and breathability.
• To assess the fabric's suitability for cold outdoor clothing.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication via dipping and thermal belt bonding of PET/PA@C6F13, LPET/PET, and PET/Cellulous fibrous webs.
• Characterization of surface morphology, pore size distribution, and surface roughness (Sa).
• Measurement of alcohol resistance, hydrostatic pressure, water vapor permeability, and CLO value.

Main Results:

• The tri-layered fabric demonstrated high resistance to alcohol wetting and a hydrostatic pressure of 5530 Pa.
• Excellent water-slipping properties were observed due to dense micropores (25.1–70.3 µm) and smooth surfaces (Sa 5.112–4.369 µm).
• Tunable CLO values (0.569–0.920) and a suitable working temperature range (-5°C to 15°C) were achieved, alongside good water vapor permeability.

Conclusions:

• The fabricated fabric offers efficient cold protection and excellent liquid repellency.
• The material exhibits superior tailorability, including high mechanical strength, soft texture, and lightweight foldability.
• This functional fabric is highly suitable for developing advanced cold outdoor clothing.