Experimental investigation of heat transfer through wind-permeable clothing

Abstract Wind tunnel experiments were carried out to study wind-induced heat losses through clothing systems consisting of a thin permeable sheath over a layer of batting or over an empty air layer. Thermal conductances and pressure distributions were measured. A low-permeability sheath over a layer of light batting was found to be very effective in reducing heat losses. Air velocity through the sheaths and inside the batting or air layer is the main factor affecting thermal conductance. The observed trends in heat transfer behaviour can be explained physically on the basis of permeability parameters of the sheath and batting materials. Implications for clothing design are discussed.