Cool Glove Leathers Made Using Themoresponsive Syntans

Abstract

Protection is the main function of gloves; also comfort of the wearer has to be kept in mind while making gloves without compromising on strength and flexibility. Body dissipates heat in the form of sweat; sweating through hands is likely to be more while using gloves in relatively hot weather conditions resulting in discomfort and slipperiness. In order to overcome these problems there is a need for development of materials, which can respond to temperature changes providing comfort and protection. In our current study, Phase Changing Material (PCM) was encapsulated into condensate polymers of melamine formaldehyde for preparation of thermoresponsive syntan. The syntan was characterised using different techniques such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Glove leathers made using this syntan were termed “Cool glove leathers” as they showed thermoresponsive behaviour, which exhibited a temperature difference of 1.5±0.5 °C to that of control leather samples with 0.5±0.4 °C. The cool glove leathers were tested for various properties like strength, organoleptic and thermoresponsive function.