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Vol. 13 No. 03 (2026)
Volume 13 Issue 03

Articles

MATERIAL SELECTION AND INVESTIGATION OF OPERATIONAL PROPERTIES OF SPECIAL CLOTHING FOR PAINTING WORKSHOP WORKERS

Published 2026-03-30

  • Qobulova Nilufarxon Jalilovna

Qobulova Nilufarxon Jalilovna
Andijan State Technical Institute, professor,

Abstract

Workers in industrial painting workshops are chronically exposed to complex chemical environments comprising solvents, isocyanates, epoxy resins, chromium-based primers, and flammable aerosols, generating multi-hazard risk profiles that current general-purpose workwear inadequately addresses. This study presents a systematic experimental investigation of material selection and operational properties for special protective clothing tailored to painting workshop conditions. A quantitative industrial hygiene survey of five painting facilities (n = 87 workers) established that four of seven measured chemical agents exceeded occupational exposure limits (OELs) by factors of 1.44–2.84×, confirming the critical need for effective barrier clothing. Four candidate fabric systems were fabricated and subjected to a comprehensive test battery: polyamide-cotton (65/35) with flame-retardant (FR) finishing; para-aramid (Nomex® III A); polyester-cotton (67/33) with nano-TiO₂ multifunctional coating; and PTFE membrane laminate composite. Testing encompassed chemical permeation (EN ISO 6529), flame resistance (EN ISO 11612), antistatic performance (EN 1149-3), mechanical durability after 50 industrial laundering cycles (ISO 6330), and physiological comfort indices (ISO 11092). The polyester-cotton/nano-TiO₂ system achieved the highest composite score (7.62/10) in an analytically hierarchical process (AHP) weighted multi-criteria analysis, combining adequate chemical resistance (toluene breakthrough time: 35.6 min), superior antistatic properties (surface resistivity: 3.5×10⁷ Ω), good breathability (MVTR: 5,140 g/m²/24h), and cost efficiency suitable for industrial replacement cycles. Para-aramid demonstrated superior protection across all single-hazard criteria but at prohibitive cost for routine garment replacement. The nano-TiO₂ fabric system is recommended as primary material for painting workshop PPE, with para-aramid hybrid construction proposed for high-exposure roles. These findings provide evidence-based material guidance for occupational safety engineers, procurement specialists, and textile manufacturers.

Keywords

painting workshop PPE; chemical permeation; flame-retardant fabric; nano-TiO₂ textile; antistatic clothing; operational durability; AHP material selection; occupational exposure

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