Application of mineral additives in functional textiles

The development of textiles with mineral additives holds significant potential for real - world applications. Such fabrics can enhance blood circulation in individuals with chronic conditions, alleviate muscle pain, and support postoperative recovery. In sports and daily life, textiles with positive effects on blood flow can accelerate recovery, improve muscle oxygenation, and reduce the risk of injuries. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fabrics containing hematite, ochre, and graphene additives on human physiological parameters both at rest and during exercise, as well as to explore their potential for sportswear applications. The additives were incorporated into polypropylene at 2 % by weight through compounding, followed by the production of yarn and fabrics. The expected effects are based on the infrared radiation emitted by the additives. At rest, garments with ochre and hematite reduced the decline in blood flow intensity by 15-20 % compared to reference apparel. During exercise on an indoor bicycle, blood flow intensity in volunteers wearing apparel with ochre or hematite increased by 2 to 2.5 times compared to reference garments. Additionally, the diameter of the elbow artery expanded sixfold more under the influence of hematite and ochre compared to reference or placebo garments.