Evaluation Methodology for the Quality of Sunshade Fabrics under Application Conditions

Za objektivno vrednovanje trajnosti funkcionalnih svojstava tkanina za izradu suncobrana i drugih zaštitnih sjenila u uvjetima primjene te njihovog što potpunijeg deklariranja, ustanovljena je potreba dopune postojećih norma koje obrađuju tu tematiku, kao i potreba daljnjeg razvoja metodike ispitivanja. Stoga je u radu dat prijedlog metodike sustavnog pristupa cjelovitom vrednovanju trajnosti zaštitne i funkcionalne učinkovitosti tekstilnih materijala. Postupak vrednovanja obuhvaća: specificiranje svojstava relevantnih za ocjenu funkcionalnosti i trajnosti materijala, obradu uzoraka u uvjetima simulacije praktične primjene, odabir najprikladnijih metoda i postupaka ispitivanja definiranih svojstava te ispitivanje i ocjenu. Obrade obuhvaćaju izlaganje uzoraka djelovanju Sunčevog zračenja i atmosferilija u prirodnom okružju, simulaciju opetovanog okišnjavanja i simulaciju održavanja sjenila višekratnim pranjem. Za završno iskazivanje ocjene trajnosti funkcionalno-uporabnih svojstava materijala tijekom uporabe sjenila bitne su promjene relevantnih svojstava materijala do kojih dolazi tijekom obrada. Predložena shema objektivnog vrednovanja primijenjena je za ocjenu trajnosti različito oplemenjenih poliesterskih tkanina tržišno namijenjenih izradi suncobrana te se pokazala zadovoljavajućom i potpuno prihvatljivom.To objectively evaluate the lifecycle of functional properties of sunshade fabrics and other protective shades under application conditions and for their more complete declaration, a need for supplementing the existing standards dealing with this topic, as well as a need for further development of test methods has been established. This is the reason why the paper proposes a methodology of the systematic approach to the whole evaluation of the lifecycle of the protective and functional efficiency of textile materials. The evaluation process includes: specification of the properties relevant to the evaluation of the functionality and lifecycle of materials, treatment of test specimens under simulation conditions of practical application, selection of the most appropriate test methods and procedures of defined characteristics as well as testing and assessment. The treatments include exposure of specimens to the action of sun\u27s radiation and chemically and physically active substances in the atmosphere of the environment, simulation of repeated sprinkling with water and simulation of shade care by multiple laundering. The changes in relevant material characteristics occurring during treatments are essential to make a final evaluation of the lifecycle of functional performance characteristics of materials during the application of shades. The proposed scheme of the objective evaluation is used for the assessment of the lifecycle of differently finished polyester fabrics intended for the manufacture of sunshades, and it has proved satisfactory and fully acceptable