Unraveling electromagnetic shielding potential: exploring carbon and stainless-steel Weft knitted fabrics

To address the growing concern of electromagnetic radiation from electronic devices, we developed advanced textile solutions for protection and comfort. Carbon and stainless steel were tested as shielding materials, with carbon nano powder and stainless-steel nano powder embedded into polyester fibers. We also created carbon-embedded and stainless steel-embedded polyester yarns. A total of 12 distinct samples with varying knitted structures and yarn compositions were produced to explore shielding performance and comfort. Testing showed a direct correlation between fabric thickness and the electromagnetic shielding efficiency of stainless steel-polyester fibers. Thicker fabrics provided superior thermal resistance, improving wearer warmth by reducing heat loss, while maintaining relatively high electromagnetic shielding efficiency (EMSE). Our findings highlight the balance between shielding effectiveness and comfort, including air permeability, water vapor permeability, and thermal resistance. These insights are crucial for optimizing textile structures for electromagnetic protection, especially for vulnerable populations like pregnant women.