EFFECT OF CLOTHING COLOR ON SOLAR HEAT LOAD
Abstract
Solar heat loads on seated subjects, wearing hot-weather uniforms in various colors, were determined during a series of 30 three-hour experiments in the desert near Yuma, Arizona. Black and white uniforms were compared during one summer, green and khaki during the next. The conclusions were derived from sweat evaporation data in sun and shade, assuming that evaporative heat loss e aled the total heat load. The calculated solar heat loads were 145-kg-cal/hr and 92 kgcal/hr for black and white uniforms, and 113 kgcal/hr an 92 kg-cal/hr for green and khaki. In terms of the total heat load on the man, the differences with color represented increases of only 17% for black over white, and 7% for green over khaki. The white uniform had much less advantage than fabric reflectance measurements would indicate, possibly because multiple reflections in the vicinity of folds and creases increased the amount of radiation absorbed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0263355
Entities
People
- J. R. Breckenridge
- R. L. Pratt