Hohenstein measures performance of functional garments

19 Dec '08

8 min read

Thermal regulation models `sweating hand´ and `sweating foot´:
In the `sweating hand´ and `sweating foot´ models, the functional principles of the skin model and the thermally segmented testing mannequins have been combined, i.e. emissions of heat and moisture in controlled climatic conditions. With the measuring instruments that came into operation at the Hohenstein Institutes in 2008, the thermal insulation and breathability of gloves, socks and shoes can be evaluated.

Upholstery Testing Device:
Whether a car is parked outside in winter or in the summer sun, it always takes awhile for the seats to become comfortable. By using an upholstery testing device, it is possible to measure the impression of temperature (initial heat flow) that a person has when they first make contact with the car seat. In addition, the thermal insulation of the seats can also be tested during longer trips made in the most varied of surrounding temperatures.

Human Test Subjects:
Thermo-physiological comfort can be objectively measured and assessed with the Hohenstein Skin Model and the thermally segmented test mannequins 'Charlie' and 'Charlene'. In order to develop these testing methods and the assessment models that have become established world-wide in the sector of clothing physiology today, it was necessary to run numerous series of tests on human test subjects. They still come to the Hohenstein Institutes even today if a completely new product is being developed or to confirm the results of tests carried out using the skin model and the thermally segmented test mannequins.

Climate chambers:
The most varied of environments can be created in the climate chambers at the Hohenstein Institutes. Temperatures can range from -25 °C to +50 °C making, for example, testing sleeping bags possible under extreme conditions. A precipitation system can be used to create rain of a wide-range of intensities, and a warm wall simulates intense sunshine or heat as real as that from open fire, especially when it is a matter of testing the wear comfort of fire-fighters' clothing.

Fans, a driving simulator used by people testing car seats, and basins in which 'Charlie 3' is immersed in order to assess the survival time of pilots in extreme conditions, such as submersion in ice water, round out the standard equipment of the Hohenstein climate chambers.

Measurement methods for skin sensibility:
Along with the heat and moisture management characteristics of textiles, skin sensibility is one of the significant aspects that influences wear comfort. Garments worn close to the skin should not "cling" to its surface. It should also transport large amounts of perspiration to layers of clothing further away from the skin. In order to meet the comfort standards dictated by skin sensibility, the construction of the textile base material of which the garment is made has the most relevant role to play.

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