Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate mechanical and comfort performances of the material for the improved working uniform for a volunteer fire brigade member, to get basic data for its evaluation and to help its material and design development. The results were as follows; The material of the newly developed working uniform was thinner and lighter than the material of the current used working uniform. It had better breathability, air permeability and heat transmission rate than the current one. It also had superior anti-flammability In all mechanical properties(tensile, bending, shearing, compression and surface properties), it showed better performances than the current one. It elongated and bended easier and more in both warp and weft directions. The elastic recovery and shape stability after elongation were also higher. The recovery and resistance to shearing and the resiliency and recovery after compression were also better than the current one. It was more flexible, softer and smoother in primary hand value, and was more suitable for the material for winter suit which needs softness and fullness in total hand value. The material of the improved working uniform showed lower thermal insulation value and higher evaporative resistance value compared to the material of the currently used working uniform from the sweating thermal manikin test. It was shown that the physical performances and the hand value of the textile material used in the newly developed working uniform for a volunteer fiber brigade member was improved compared to the one used in the currently used working uniform.
