Biophysical assessment of the US Army Improved Hot Weather Combat Uniform (IHWCU) and a comparison to the currently fielded Fire Resistant Army Combat Uniform (FRACU)
Abstract
New uniforms have been developed specifically for hot and humid environments. Methods: Standard tests for the thermal and evaporative resistances (Rt and Ret) were conducted (ASTM F1291-16 and ASTM F2370-16) for two US Army uniforms, the new Improved Hot Weather Combat Uniform (IHWCU) and the currently fielded Fire Resistant Army Combat Uniform (FRACU). Results: Standard biophysical test values were similar between the two ensembles (IHWCU, FRACU) for thermal insulation 1.44 and 1.40 (clo), vapor permeability (im) (0.40 and 0.43), and evaporative potential (im/clo) (0.29 and 0.32) in near-still air conditions (0.4 ms-1 wind velocity). The modeling values for these measures (1.0 ms-1 wind velocity) were nearly identical; 1.11 and 1.11 clo, 0.41 and 0.45 im, and 0.37 and 0.37 im/clo. Conclusion: This work provides some quantitative evidence that the thermal properties of these two ensembles are similar and that from a biophysical perspective there are negligible differences between them.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1092374
Entities
People
- Adam W Potter
- David P. Looney
- Julio A. Gonzalez
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine