FTTS-FA-008　Ultraviolet Protective Textiles

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Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) ranges in wavelength from 100nm to 400nm. UVA ranges from 400nm to 320nm, UVB ranges from 320nm to 290nm and UVC ranges from 100nm to 290nm. UVC is normally absorbed by the atmosphere’s ozone layer before it reaches the earth. Ultraviolet protective textiles provide excellent protection as heat shelters and heat insulators that can effectively prevent UV penetration. Such textiles protect the human body from unnecessary exposure to sunlight which may cause skin erythema, accumulation of melanin, skin cancer, or eye cataracts. Ultraviolet Protective Textiles play an important role, especially in outdoor activities.

Ultraviolet Protective Textiles are made in two ways
1. from fabrics themselves that have these properties
2. from additives

Before synthetic processing and spinning, filament are blended with UV protective materials (absorbing or reflecting) like titania, zinc oxide and others which have been ground to micro or nano scale and mixed with polymer before blending. The resulting Ultraviolet Protective Textiles offer sun block or sun reflection protection that does not degrade. On the other hand, Ultraviolet Protective Textiles made using fabric additives gradually lose their protective power after repeated launderings.

Taiwan technology for ultraviolet protective textiles has reached and Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of at least UPF50. The test method used is AS/NZS 4399.

This criterion is applicable to the evaluation and testing of the ultraviolet radiation blocking capability of textiles in original state and after repeated laundering.

UPF values of the textiles both in original state and after launderings are determined. The laundering procedures are based on AATCC 135(1)(III)(A) iii and in accordance with the guide in 4.1.