The American Society of Testing and Materials and Outlast have collaborated with Dr. Douglass Hittle, the Director of Solar Energy Applications at Colorado State University, to develop a textile test for phase change materials.
“It measures the effects of changing temperature and a fabrics ability to absorb, store and release energy,” said Mark Hartmann, technical director at Outlast. “This test provides the measurement to separate PCM technology from unsubstantiated claims of temperature regulation through moisture management, wicking or straight thermal insulation properties of a fabric.”
Phase change materials not only insulate the body against cold, they also absorb heat if core temperatures are too high and then release it when core temperatures drop. This new ASTM test measures the effectiveness of PCMs against each other as well as against traditional forms of insulation.
“From an industry perspective, this new ASTM standard clearly demonstrates and displays the benefits of incorporating thermal dynamic properties (DTP) into fibers, fabrics and foams,” said Outlast Global VP, Brad Poorman.
