Optimization of material and process parameters of fibrous quilt for comfortable heat loss from human body

Abstract

Various quilt samples are prepared by carding (web formation) of three kinds of fibers viz. cotton, normal polyester and hollow polyester and stitching the webs with a covering fabric. Effects of various parameters such as fiber type, fiber fineness, mass per square meter of the quilt (g m−2), applied compression and temperature difference on thermal conductivity of the quilts are investigated. Comfortable heat loss from the human body is theoretically estimated (123.66–159.14 W m−2), and these parameters are optimized by employing 33 Box-Behnken response surface design and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to maintain the comfortable heat loss from human body by the quilts. One empirical model has been derived to predict heat loss through the quilts with the given quilt parameters. The empirical model helps to understand and design a quilt suitable for the use in a designated cold climate.