Comfort properties of pressure garments in extended state

摘要

Pressure garments are used to exert pressure on human limbs for scar management, venous and lymphatic problems, bone and muscle injury, sportswear, post cosmetic surgery, etc. The amounts of pressure required for each medical condition are different. Pressure garments are produced from knitted elastic fabrics, which on wearing get extended and remain in the extended state, thereby exerting a positive pressure on the body. Since they are worn next to skin and are in intimate contact with the body, their comfort properties are of immense importance. In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the air permeability, water vapour transmission rate and thermal behavior of elastic fabrics in extended condition to simulate the conditions during wear. Results show that the comfort properties change significantly when the fabric is held in an extended state.