Effect of Water Content and Compression on Clothing Insulation

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Abstract
Effect of water compression (resulting from immersion to the neck level), simulated water leakage and sweat accumulation upon thermal insulation of a typical Air Force protective clothing assembly was determined in a series of 55 experiments conducted with a copper manikin. Results of a series of tests on the effect of simulated sweat on thermal insulation of footwear (sock) are also included. Insulation loss due to hydrostatic compression and removal of the ambient air insulation (Ia) by water immersion was significant, amounting to 56.8%: addition of water in quantities ranging from 100 to 1000 g/m2 caused further reduction of thermal insulation, reaching a maximum of 21.8% at 1000 g/m2. Percentage loss of thermal insulation with increasing water content, whether simulating leakage (measurements in water) or sweat accumulation (measurements in air), was similar. Comparable effects of water upon the thermal insulation of foot-wear were also observed in a series of 12 tests conducted on a copper thermal foot. On the basis of a total body heat storage loss of 50 Cal/m2/hr., predictive curves for human tolerance time in water at o[degree]C as functions of clothing water content, metabolic level and thermal insulation are presented. Measured heat loss of the clothed manikin in water was 2.3 to 4.0 times greater than in air, depending upon whether clothing was dry or maximally wetted (1000 g/m2).
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