# Assessment of the Effectiveness of Hip Protector Pads Produced by Treated Warp Knitted Spacer Fabrics

## TL;DR

This study evaluates hip protector pads made from warp knitted spacer fabrics treated with silicone or latex to assess their effectiveness in reducing impact force and improving comfort.

## Contribution

The study introduces and evaluates treated warp knitted spacer fabrics as a novel material for hip protectors, balancing impact protection and breathability.

## Key findings

- Treated warp knitted spacer fabrics showed higher force attenuation and moderate compression resistance.
- Both sides open-structured fabrics improved breathability while maintaining protection.
- Transmitted force values ranged from 14.39 to 31.83 kN under applied energies of 12.5 and 25.0 J.

## Abstract

The objective of
this study is to assess the effectiveness
of hip
protector pads utilizing warp knitted spacer fabrics treated with
silicone and latex, specifically designed for hip protective applications.
Three different types of warp knitted spacer fabrics and silicone-
or latex-treated variants were evaluated in terms of transmitted force,
compression resistance, and thermo-physiological comfort parameters.
A drop weight impact tester with a real hip impact area was used to
measure the force attenuation capacity of hip protective pads, yielding
transmitted force values ranging from 14.39 to 31.83 kN under applied
energies of 12.5 and 25.0 J. Compression resistance values varied
from 219 to above 950 N, depending on the fabric structure and treatment.
Air permeability of the fabrics ranged from 1300 to 6000 l/m2s, thermal resistance values from 0.0355 to 0.0714 m2K/W,
and water vapor resistance values from 2.66 to 3.99 m2 Pa/W.
The findings demonstrate that treated warp knitted spacer fabricsespecially
both sides open-structured onesshowed higher force attenuation,
moderate compression resistance, and improved breathability, making
them suitable candidates for hip protective pads that combine protection
with prolonged wear comfort.