Effect of Climatic Factors on the Results of Bench Field Tests of Fabric Weathering

Abstract

On the example of ten variants of fabrics of different fibrous compositions, the features of the weathering mechanism of aging were investigated in the conditions of exposure in different latitudinal regions – the Leningrad, Kursk and Rostov regions. Using the local hydrometeorological monitoring data, the accuracy and objectivity of the assessment of weathering resistance was determined employing the insolation indices (Ii). It was revealed that the spread of the indices for one variant of fabric exposed in different geographic locations did not exceed 0-2 units (0 – 6.2% of the measured value), which confirms the accuracy of the method, its universality, and reproducibility of the results. The kinetics of the decrease in the strength of fabrics was studied as a function of the time and exposure season, from the total solar irradiance in the range from 0 to 13100 MJ/m². Weathering resistance depends not only on the type of fiber, but also on the density of the fabric and on the fabric finish. Among the ten variants studied, polyamide and polyester fabrics proved to be less weather-resistant, their Ii was 7-9 units; for mixed cotton polyester, the Ii was 22-24; for half-linen canvases, it was 12-13. Dense cotton fabrics with water repellent or flame retardant finishes had Ii values of 24-44. An approximate calculation of the duration of permissible weathering exposure for a continuous multi-month and intermittent seasonal exposure schedule is given as an example.