Extreme environment clothing
Encyclopedia
Extreme environment clothing normally refers to clothing
for Arctic or mountainous areas on land, although it is sometimes used for survival suits worn by mariners. The basic approach is to insulate one's body from heat loss, and keep liquid water
or ice out of the insulation
.
, usually of oiled wool. In Arctic areas, the typical modern insulation is very fine hydrophobic polyester
fiber batting sewn in laps between a nylon shell. The sewing must not compress or quilt the insulation, because the heat leaks out through the thin spots. Most designers now include a moisture barrier on the inner side to prevent condensation from a body's moisture from condensing and freezing in the insulation. Sometimes the moisture barrier has several layers of aluminized plastic film to reflect infrared
back to the body. If plastic film is near the skin, usually some lightweight absorbent cloth is between the skin and the film, for comfort.
The feet of booties are usually insulated by a thick layer of flexible closed-cell plastic foam, covered with a boot sole. Traditional tribal insulations are mouth-chewed oiled furs from the winter-killed Arctic animals, with the fur turned toward the body, or in heavy garments, with two layers, the inner turned away from the body, and the outer turned toward the body. The outer layers of skin breaks the wind, and the inner reduces condensation in the fur. Even in modern garments, certain furs (notably Wolverine
) are prized for a hood lining, because they do not collect ice crystals from one's breath.
For use in wet areas, the insulation is reduced (because the temperature is above freezing), and a barrier that passes water vapor, but not liquid water is sewn into the outer shell. This barrier passes gaseous water from one's body, yet prevents precipitation from soaking the insulation. The most effective modern fluid barrier is trade-named Gore-Tex
, and consists of an expanded felt or mesh of polytetrafluoroethylene
(trade name Teflon). The basic principle is that the plastic felt does not wet, and the pores are small enough so water's surface tension
will resist high wind pressures. At the same time, the pores are large enough to easily pass water vapor. Gore-Tex is mechanically fragile, and is usually bonded to a polyester fabric, and sewn inside a nylon outer shell. Despite its advantages, even Gore-Tex fabric can be clogged up during sub-zero temperatures if the perspiration freezes.
Another option is to use heated clothing
, which contains battery-powered electrical heating elements or gel packs.
Clothing
Clothing refers to any covering for the human body that is worn. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic and is a feature of nearly all human societies...
for Arctic or mountainous areas on land, although it is sometimes used for survival suits worn by mariners. The basic approach is to insulate one's body from heat loss, and keep liquid water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
or ice out of the insulation
Thermal insulation
Thermal insulation is the reduction of the effects of the various processes of heat transfer between objects in thermal contact or in range of radiative influence. Heat transfer is the transfer of thermal energy between objects of differing temperature...
.
Land use
The usual clothing for Arctic or mountain regions is a parka and heavy insulated mittens with long gauntlets to protect the wrist, gaiters to keep snow and moisture out of the top of the boots, and wool-felt or down-insulated booties. In high wind-chills, these garments may be supplemented by a maskMask
A mask is an article normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance or entertainment. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and practical purposes...
, usually of oiled wool. In Arctic areas, the typical modern insulation is very fine hydrophobic polyester
Polyester
Polyester is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many polyesters, the term "polyester" as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate...
fiber batting sewn in laps between a nylon shell. The sewing must not compress or quilt the insulation, because the heat leaks out through the thin spots. Most designers now include a moisture barrier on the inner side to prevent condensation from a body's moisture from condensing and freezing in the insulation. Sometimes the moisture barrier has several layers of aluminized plastic film to reflect infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
back to the body. If plastic film is near the skin, usually some lightweight absorbent cloth is between the skin and the film, for comfort.
The feet of booties are usually insulated by a thick layer of flexible closed-cell plastic foam, covered with a boot sole. Traditional tribal insulations are mouth-chewed oiled furs from the winter-killed Arctic animals, with the fur turned toward the body, or in heavy garments, with two layers, the inner turned away from the body, and the outer turned toward the body. The outer layers of skin breaks the wind, and the inner reduces condensation in the fur. Even in modern garments, certain furs (notably Wolverine
Wolverine
The wolverine, pronounced , Gulo gulo , also referred to as glutton, carcajou, skunk bear, or quickhatch, is the largest land-dwelling species of the family Mustelidae . It is a stocky and muscular carnivore, more closely resembling a small bear than other mustelids...
) are prized for a hood lining, because they do not collect ice crystals from one's breath.
For use in wet areas, the insulation is reduced (because the temperature is above freezing), and a barrier that passes water vapor, but not liquid water is sewn into the outer shell. This barrier passes gaseous water from one's body, yet prevents precipitation from soaking the insulation. The most effective modern fluid barrier is trade-named Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex is a waterproof/breathable fabric, and a registered trademark of W. L. Gore and Associates. It was co-invented by Wilbert L. Gore, Rowena Taylor, and Gore's son, Robert W. Gore. Robert Gore was granted on April 27, 1976, for a porous form of polytetrafluoroethylene with a...
, and consists of an expanded felt or mesh of polytetrafluoroethylene
Polytetrafluoroethylene
Polytetrafluoroethylene is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene that finds numerous applications. PTFE is most well known by the DuPont brand name Teflon....
(trade name Teflon). The basic principle is that the plastic felt does not wet, and the pores are small enough so water's surface tension
Surface tension
Surface tension is a property of the surface of a liquid that allows it to resist an external force. It is revealed, for example, in floating of some objects on the surface of water, even though they are denser than water, and in the ability of some insects to run on the water surface...
will resist high wind pressures. At the same time, the pores are large enough to easily pass water vapor. Gore-Tex is mechanically fragile, and is usually bonded to a polyester fabric, and sewn inside a nylon outer shell. Despite its advantages, even Gore-Tex fabric can be clogged up during sub-zero temperatures if the perspiration freezes.
Another option is to use heated clothing
Heated clothing
Most heated clothing is designed for cold-weather sports and activities, such as motorcycle riding, downhill skiing, winter biking, and snowmobiling, trekking and for outdoor workers such as construction workers and carpenters....
, which contains battery-powered electrical heating elements or gel packs.
Marine use
Marine survival suits are worn by ship crews operating in arctic and near-arctic waters, and by other people working near water, such as oil rig workers or dock workers. Survival suits provide insulation, floatation, and water protection, so that a person will be able to survive for a longer period if they fall into the water or if their boat capsizes. They are typically brightly coloured, in blaze orange or fluorescent yellow, so that the person will be easier to spot by rescuers. Survival suits come in two different types, wet and dry. Dry suits are very similar to Arctic clothing, except with a waterproof shell, and closed-cell flexible plastic foam for insulation and flotation. Some have vents that allow air and perspiration to pass out without letting water in. Wet suits use foam rubber insulation; the water in the foam warms, and they remain warm event when water gets inside. However, they cannot handle the most extreme cold, and are uncomfortable for extended wear.See also
- Atmospheric diving suitAtmospheric diving suitAn atmospheric diving suit or ADS is a small one-man articulated submersible of anthropomorphic form which resembles a suit of armour, with elaborate pressure joints to allow articulation while maintaining an internal pressure of one atmosphere...
- Environmental suitEnvironmental suitAn environmental suit is a suit designed specifically for a particular environment, usually one otherwise hostile to humans. An environment suit is typically a one-piece garment, and many types also feature a helmet or other covering for the head...
- Fire Resistant Environmental EnsembleFire Resistant Environmental EnsembleThe Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble is a multi-layered, versatile insulating garment that is adaptable to varying mission requirements and environmental conditions. The system consists of undergarments, a base layer, midweight underlayer, light weather outer layer, intermediate weather outer...
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