Force attenuation capacity and thermophysiological wear comfort of vertically lapped nonwoven fabric

Hip-protective pads are designed to prevent hip fracture in elderly women. Two types of vertically lapped nonwoven fabrics were evaluated for suitability as materials for hip-protective pads. The force attenuation capacity of pads made from these fabrics was studied using drop impact tests, and performance relevant to thermophysiological wear comfort measured using a sweating guarded hot plate. The results indicate that vertically lapped nonwoven fabrics are suitable materials for soft hip-protective pads. They provide effective protection for the hip bone, and have similar force attenuation capacity to closed-cell foam. The inter-fibre and voids in nonwoven structures enable moisture to escape to the environment, and the experimental vertically lapped nonwoven fabric pads had significantly higher ability to transfer moisture than closed-cell foam pads.