Evaluation of the effect of washings on antistatic properties of fabrics for workwear

Reducing the electrifiability of fabrics for the special clothing manufacture is an urgent task. One way to reduce the specific surface electrical resistance of fabrics is to introduce into their structure antistatic yarns containing metal fibers. Under operating conditions, overalls are subjected to various influences, such as washing. After repeated washes, clothing may lose its original protective properties, which may put the life and health of the worker at risk. The aim of the research is to determine the change in the fabrics antistatic properties for overalls after repeated washings. During the study, the specific surface electrical resistance of two fabric samples with different arrangements of antistatic yarns was determined with an investment of 10 % Bekinox steel fiber before and after washing cycles. As a result of 20 washes, the studied fabric samples are characterized by a low value of the specific surface electrical resistance, which allows us to consider them antistatic. Based on the application of the Mann-Whitney criterion, it was found that the change in antistatic properties after each subsequent washing is statistically insignificant, however, there is an accumulation of minor changes in properties, as a result of which the specific surface resistance of fabrics increases almost monotonously. The results will make it possible to predict the change in antistatic properties during the use of workwear.