A review on thermal protection

Abstract

In a situation where an individual is under an extreme environment, clothing may be a decisive factor in his survival. In order to protect the individual from his surrounding harsh environment, clothing must promote the thermal insulation providing the required level of protection. The choice of clothing materials may undergo various approaches, including materials consisting of intrinsically fire-retardant fibers, such as aramids, or materials in which heat-resistant additives or finishes may be applicate (1). A solution may also be the combination of layers: usually a dense and heavy layer surface coated by an aluminum layer in order to promote thermal insulation. Weight is the most important restriction to be considered, as may condition the user's mobility in addition to becoming much more uncomfortable in hot environments (2). In this review, new technologies to provide thermal protection and comfort are presented.