Friction Properties between Different Camouflage Clothing Textiles and Human Elbow Skin

The influences of surface structure and hydrophobicity of 5 kinds of camouflage clothing textiles, normal pressure and dry or wet conditions on the friction properties of skin were studied at a reciprocating friction mode to simulate the wearing conditions of camouflage clothing. Results show that at a normal load of 1 N, the wet condition increased the adhesion between the textiles and skin, and the friction coefficient in the wet condition was higher than that in the dry condition. At a normal load of 5 N, the wet or dry condition at the interface had no significant influence on the friction coefficient. In the dry condition, the friction properties between different camouflage clothing textiles and skin were related to the materials and knitting structure. The friction coefficient of textiles with cotton material and twill knitting structure was lower when contacting with skin. In the wet condition, the friction properties between different camouflage clothing textiles and skin were related to the hydrophobicity-hydrophilicity of textiles. Since the textiles with strong hydrophobicity could increase the hydration of skin and the adhesion between the interfaces, the friction coefficient was higher. The tough tabby knitting structure could cause rough skin surface and different levels of cuticle separation and epidermis tear, which increased the risk of skin injure.