Mathematical model used for predicting arc-flash protective performance of fabrics based on physical parameters

Abstract

In this study, parameters that may affect the performance of arc-flash protective fabrics were systematically analyzed. Sixteen different commonly used fabrics with different configurations and grammage were produced and investigated, namely four raw materials with different configurations (93:0:5:2, 70:23:5:2, 46:47:5:2, and 23:70:5:2) and four with different grammage (180, 210, 240, and 270 g/m2). It was found that factors had different effects on the arc protective performance. Principal component analysis showed that the four plain weave fabrics of 180 g/m2 behaved differently compared with other samples, which was ascribed to the related differences in weave structure. In addition, a predicting mathematical model was developed based on the parameters that have the greatest influence on arc protective performance. The prediction parameters were not added to the structure, but replaced with physical parameters such as air permeability and thermomechanical properties. The adjusted R2 was 0.867, which demonstrated the rationality of using multiple linear regression to accurately predict arc protective performance. It was hypothesized that the construction of the mathematical model could contribute to the arc protective fabric evaluation and future researches in this field.