UV protection of cotton: The influence of weaving structure

Abstract

Due to the depletion of the ozone layer, shorter but high energy UV-B rays and longer energy UV-A rays causing known skin aging and recently the formation of skin malignant neoplasm are reaching the surface of earth. The paper deals with the influence of different fabric construction on ultraviolet skin protection expressed as the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). It is well known that clothing provides some protection against damage by ultraviolet radiation, but it highly depends on fabric construction, especially for longer exposure to sun light. Fabric openness or porosity is a key parameter influencing ultraviolet (UV-R) transmission. The effect of fabric density and cover factor using twelve woven fabrics from the same cotton fibres and yarn count, but different in type of weaving and fabric density were investigated. UPF and UV-A and UV-B transmission were measured using a transmission spectrophotometer Gary 50 Solarscreen (Varian) according to the AATCC Test Method 183-2000.

Keywords

• cotton fabrics
• weaving structure
• density
• porosity
• UV protection