Evaluation of Adjustable Thermal Insulations of Tibetan Clothing by Manikin Testing.

The thermal insulation of clothing needs to be easily adjusted in an unsteady environment, but this is extremely difficult for most clothing. To reveal the effect of different styles of Tibetan clothing on their thermal property, the total thermal insulations of Tibetan clothing in three typical styles were measured using a thermal manikin. The clothing area factors (f_cl) of the Tibetan clothing and body surface area covered by a Tibetan robe were tested with a photographic method. The results showed the following: 1) For similar insulation, f_cl of Tibetan clothing is about 0.23 bigger than that of western clothing, estimated from ISO 11079; 2)the style of Tibetan clothing significantly affects the f_cl (p < 0.05, f_cl = 1.229 + 0.007 BSAC) and the intrinsic thermal insulation (p < 0.05, I_cl = 0.166 + 0.016 BSAC); 3)the adjustable thermal insulation of Tibetan clothing proved its adaptability to the large air temperature difference environment on the Tibetan plateau ,which should be valuable for the product development of clothing used in a unsteady environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]