Thermal comfort properties of nonwoven fabrics used in surgical gowns

Nonwoven fabrics are used for surgical gown applications due to their low cost, lightweight, durability, breathability, low hairiness and disposability. Multi-layered nonwovens with membranes are used in disposable surgical gowns to enhance protection against fluids, aerosol, toxins and microorganisms to meet the needs of surgical applications. In this study, we have analysed thermal comfort properties of SMS (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond) fabrics with three different weights (35 g/m(2), 50 g/m(2) and 80 g/m(2)) and also evaluated the layered nonwoven structures with a breathable and water impermeable membrane. As a result of the study, fabric weight and layered structure had been found to have an important effect on the comfort properties of nonwoven fabrics.