Energy absorption and thermal comfort of segmented pad for hip protective garment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence and relationship of segment area and opening area in segmented protective pad in comparison to non-segmented pad to the energy absorption and performance attributes relevant to thermophysiological wear comfort. Design/methodology/approach – The compressive stress-strain curves were obtained using Instron Tester and were used to analyse the energy absorption of the pads and the segmented pad assemblies. The dry thermal resistance and evaporative resistance of the non-segmented and segmented protective pads were obtained using MTNW Sweating Guarded Hot Plate. Findings – The compression test results and performance attributes relevant to thermophysiological wear comfort test result demonstrated that the area segment and opening area of segmented pad influenced their energy absorption value, dry thermal resistance value and evaporative resistance value (permeability index value). Originality/value – The results are expected to be useful for design and engineering of hip impact protective garments. Hip impact protective pads are used to prevent hip fractures in elderly people as a result of fall.