Analysis of the influence of carbon fibers on the electrostatic properties of fabrics intended for the production of protective clothing

Abstract

The paper examined the electrostatic properties of fabrics, of which three fabrics contain 1-2% carbon fibers in their raw material composition. The electrostatic properties of six fabric samples were compared, of which three fabrics were produced from 100% cotton fibers and three fabrics were produced from polyester, cotton and carbon fibers in the following ratio: sample 1: cotton 75%, polyester 24% and carbon fibers 1%, pattern 2: polyester 54%, cotton 44%, carbon fiber 2%, pattern 3: polyester 66.5%, cotton 32%, carbon fiber 1.5%. Samples 4, 5 and 6 are made of 100% cotton fibers. The surface masses of the tested samples are approximate and range from 201.7 g·m-2 to 210.5 g·m-2. The aim of the work is to compare fabrics that contain admixtures of carbon fibers in their raw material composition in a percentage ratio of 1% - 2% with fabrics that are produced from 100% cotton fibers and that have been processed for the purpose of antistatic, to establish which fabrics and to what extent provide better protection against the accumulation of electrostatic charge and which better absorb it from their surface and drain it through the fabric. The tests were carried out according to the EN ISO 1149-3 standard using the method that measures the discharge of electric charges. The results showed that fabrics containing carbon fibers showed lower values of Er (maximum electric field strength recorded on the device with the sample being tested at the measuring position) and higher values of protection factor S.

Keywords

• antistatic fabrics
• electrostatic properties
• carbon fibers
• protective clothing