Latest Posts

All About Protective Textile: A Simplified Guide

Protective textile is simply a fabric that protects the human body and shields it from environmental hazards. The purpose of such textiles is to provide improved security to workers at their workplaces. As such, fashion and aesthetics do not rank high with protective textile products; the aim is to provide maximum coverage against harm and hazards. It is also a great example of technical textile meant to enhance utility and functionality.

Requirements of Protective Textiles

Acrylic, carbon, nylon, flame-resistant cotton/polyester/viscose, wool, hemp, cotton, linen, glass, spandex, etc., are fibers usually used to make protective textiles. These have some particular qualities which enable clothes to provide optimal protection to your workers. They are:

  1. Waterproof and water repellant
  2. Flame and heat resistant
  3. Lightweight and durable
  4. Flexible, breathable, and permeable
  5. Shock-resistant and good impact

Functions and Benefits

No matter what the human or work environment is, protective clothing performs specific functions and offers particular benefits to the wearer. 

1. Protection

Highly dangerous or contagious workplaces require uniforms that will work as the first layer of safety against external damage. 

2. Comfort

Human comfort is crucial while working in places that are open to extreme heat or cold. Protective textiles work well in such spaces by providing tactile as well as thermal comfort.

3. Mobility

It goes without saying that a worker will have to move around to complete specific tasks and duties in such physical spaces. So, mobility is essential.

Examples of How Protective Textile Help

The examples given here are specific cases that will help you understand how important protective textiles are in safeguarding humans.

1. Mechanical Hazards

They ensure that nobody is harmed by bullets, abrasions, cuts, punctures, or explosion fragments.

2. Thermal Hazards

They offer excellent protection against steam, wind, flames, fires, ice, liquid/hot gases, and other elements, which are parts of occupational hazards that cannot always be avoided.

3. Chemical Hazards

They stand as guards against acids, alkalis, oil, petrol, heavy metals, toxic, flammable explosives, and much more.

4. Water

From rain, ice, and snow to sea or wastewater, these kinds of clothing protect your workers against every possible element.

5. Biological and Biochemical Hazards

Now that we have lived through a pandemic, we all know how important it is to safeguard ourselves against microorganisms. In this battle against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and body fluids, protective outer clothing is our foot soldier.

6. Radioactive Hazards

To protect the workers from X-rays, gamma rays, etc.

7. Acoustic Hazards

Protection against explosive waves, low and high-frequency noise, and ultrasound.

8. Electrical Hazards

Many workplaces involve lightning, high-voltage electricity, electric spark, and other elements. Electromagnetic wave hazards like invisible light, laser, etc., are also possibilities that you cannot ignore.

How to Choose the Correct Protective Textile

The first step is to determine the nature of the work and what kinds of hazards it causes. This will help you determine the exact kind and extent of protection your workers are entitled to. There are different materials for different end uses. Due to a lack of time and space, we discuss a few of them here.

1. Thermal protective clothing

Designed with several layers and air gaps within them, it prevents the transfer of thermal energy to the skin.

2. Fire-protective clothing

Quality fire protective attire will use thermo-stable fire-resistant materials, providing protection while ensuring a certain level of comfort.

3. Protection against cold

In such cases, polypropylene works best as it wicks away moisture and insulates. Natural fibers like wool and silk are also great.

Over the past few decades, the demand for protective textile products all over the world has been growing. Most companies and industries are emphasizing the safety and protection of their workforce by reducing occupational hazards, and India is also not lagging behind. Textile fabric manufacturers in India use the latest technology and produce high-quality clothing for workers’ safety.

Follow us on:

Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | Google My Business