Criteria

Justify (give your reasons) for each of the performance criteria suggested.

The fabric colour must be able to be seen very easily during all levels of day light . A reflective stripe enhances the visibility of the vest from a distance.

The fabric must be able to breathe and this will make the vest comfortable to wear as another layer over clothing.

The vest would be comfortable if it didn't attract static electricity.

The fabric must be lightweight so as the vest is comfortable to wear over other layers of clothing.

The fabric for the vest must not fade in colour after consecutive washes.

A high visibility reflective stripe would add further visibility especially in low levels of light.

A flame retardant finish would add higher levels of safety to the work vest.

A UPF rating will protect the worker from harmful UV rays while outside.

http://www.theknitwear.com/knitting-types.html

http://www.seattlefabrics.com/ribbon_and_tapes.html

3M Scotchlite Reflective Tape: At night it takes about 700 feet for an driver to see and recognise a hazard, decide on an action, initiate an action and complete the maneuvers. Red/Orange Fluorescent clothing only offers about 300 feet of sight distance. Silver Scotchlite reflective material offers 700 feet of sight distance allowing an automobile driver to identify and react inplenty of time. Scotchlite reflective material is a very reflective and durable tape with a fabric construction that makes it more washable than both reflective ribbon and vinyl reflective tape.  

http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/dispersedye.shtml

Polyester requires the use of disperse dyes.

http://hsc.csu.edu.au/textiles_design/performance/2795/gloveans.htm

Multifilament hard twist yarns are: smooth, soft feel, supple, lustrous, anti-pilling.

http://textiles.indianetzone.com/1/polyester.htm

http://www.theseacpages.co.uk/CarbonFibre.aspx

http://www.ofseth.org/IMG/pdf/OFSETH-CEN-D1.3-Annex1-PU-a.pdf

Flame retardant finish

Sun factor UPF

http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/5/429/flame-retardant-finishes1.asp http://www.treviracs.com/englisch/facts/basics/glossary.asp

Flame retardants are chemicals applied to fabrics to inhibit or suppress the combustion process. They interfere with combustion at various stages of the process, e.g. during heating, decomposition, ignition of flame spread.

Molecular structure of Trevira CS
Trevira CS are polyester fibres rendered permanently flame-retardant by the inclusion of a small proportion of a phosphorous-organic component.

Properties of Trevira
Trevira belong to the polyester group of fibres. The flame-retardant qualities of Trevira CS is further improved by including a modification in their processing. They display all the typical properties of polyester fibres and offer industry and consumer considerable advantages.

http://www.arpansa.gov.au/Services/upf/index.cfm

Fabrics are treated with UV absorbing chemicals.

http://www.fabriclink.com/dictionaries/textile.cfm#U

Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF): The UPF rating indicates how effective a fabric is at blocking out solar ultraviolet radiation from reaching the skin. UPF ratings range from 15 to 50 with higher ratings indicating more effective blocking and therefore better protection for the wearer of a garment. Fabrics that test higher than UPF 50 are rated as UPF50+.

UPF testing involves exposing a fabric to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and measuring how much is transmitted through the sample. Different wave-lengths of radiation in the UVR spectrum have different effects on human skin and this is taken into consideration when calculating the UPF rating.

Factors that contribute to the UPF rating of a fabric are:

• Composition of the yarns (cotton, polyester, etc)
• Tightness of the weave or the knit (tighter improves the rating)
• Color (darket colors are generally better)
• Stretch (more stretch lowers the rating)
• Moisture (many fabrics have lower ratings when wet)
• Condition (worn and faded garments may have reduced ratings)
• Finishing (some fabrics are treated with UV absorbing chemicals)

http://www.clothmen.com/info.php?t=symbols

Wash (40°C). Warm tumble dry. Do not bleach. Do not dry in the sun.

Evaluate the use of a flame retardant, UPF, fluorescent coloured, polyester warp knit fabric with carbon insertion for the manufacture of a high visibility workplace safety vest.

A flame retardant, UPF, disperse dyed, polyester warp knit fabric with carbon insertion is a highly appropriate choice for the manufacture of a high visibility workplace safety vest. A warp knit fabric is lightweight, permeable to air and dimensionally stable that will be comfortable to wear over other clothing. The carbon insertion will dissipate static charges which will increase the comfort level. The fluorescent disperse dye is highly suitable as this dye is light and wash fast and permanent. The reflective tape adds effectiveness to the visibility of the vest. The use of a multifilament yarn will create a smooth surface for the fabric. Being flame retardant increases the safety level of the garment in a workplace. A UPF finish is excellent for those who work outdoors.

Explain the difference between a self-extinguishing finish and a self-extinguishing fibre.

Define Trevira polyester and outline how it is manufactured.

These requirements are fulfilled by man-made synthetic fibres, the self-extinguishing modification to which is made to the raw fibre material prior to processing (e.g. Trevira CS, modacrylic and fibreglass). The textiles produced using these yarns melt slowly and the fire extinguishes because it has no source of its own. Trevira CS fibres belong to a group known as polyester fibres, although this safety fibre is created with the additional inclusion of a small quantity of a phosphor-organic component, which ensures that it remains permanently flame-resistant. Flame-retardant threads and fabrics manufactured from the polyester fibre Trevira CS (C = comfort, S = safety) guarantee effective protection against fire.

Why is Trevira permanently flame-retardant?

They are permanently flame-retardant because the flame-retardant agent is an integrated part of the molecular structure.

Identify the properties of this flame-retardant fabric that make it desirable for a safety vest.

In general terms, fabrics manufactured using flame-retardant polyester fibres are particularly durable, easy to care for, kind to the skin and non-iron. They are particularly highly valued for their wear resistance and their resistance to fading.

• consumer

• manufacturer

Continued research.

Technology update.

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• environment