The Influence of Mechanical, Physical and Chemical Influences on Protective Clothing

Abstract

The article is focused on testing the mechanical, physical and chemical characteristics of the selected protective clothing. Old anti-chemical protective clothing formerly used in tactical exercises (but never during a real intervention) was selected. Protective clothing has an expected lifespan when used correctly. When in use, external influences can negatively affect and function of these garments. The article describes the preparation of individual samples of protective clothing which were exposed to the effects of selected inorganic and organic chemicals, water vapor, UV radiation and long-term exposure to elevated temperatures. The prepared samples were subsequently torn on the tearing device, and the change of mechanical and physical properties was monitored. The stress at which the samples broke and the length they reached at the moment of breaking were measured. The exposure to individual chemicals, UV radiation and elevated temperature resulted in decreases in the modulus of elasticity in each case. The largest decrease was recorded in samples treated with hydrogen peroxide and the smallest in samples exposed to long-term thermal load.

Keywords

• chemical-resistant clothing
• civil protection
• occupational exposure
• occupational health
• occupational safety
• protective clothing