As the 44west team prepared to join the World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic, sponsor SGS applied its expertise to ensure the crew’s safety and sustainability while at sea.
In this article we look at UV testing for the team’s long sleeve shirts.
Testing clothing to ensure it performs as claimed and can withstand the rigors of a month at sea, will ensure the crew’s protection and comfort. As they cross the Atlantic Ocean the 44west team will encounter wide-ranging weather conditions – sunshine and storms, extreme heat and cold, as well as being exposed to changing humidity, winds and salt-spray. And they will not be able to wash their clothes either.
The team’s ‘normal’ looking long-sleeved shirt needs to live up to the manufacturer’s claims of being lightweight, breathable, wicking and quick drying. Most importantly, this shirt needs to provide strong protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays. Its claimed ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating is 50+, the highest rating that can be claimed for an apparel product. A UPF of 50+ mean the fabric allows no more than 2% of UV radiation to pass through.
Which tests are being performed?
To ensure the long-sleeved shirt chosen by the 44west team fulfils its claims and will last the distance (4,800 kms) we subjected the garment to UV radiation protection testing.
We tested for:
- UV resistance
- UV exposure test
- Post UV exposure analysis
- Washing machine exposure
Testing was conducted in our Softlines laboratory in the U.S. which specializes in testing functional, performance and protective clothing. From this facility our softlines team has developed many capabilities for the assessment and testing of clothing and equipment for many extreme spots, including access to a thermal manikin, rain room (e-Shower) and ergonomic assessments.
A high-quality UV-protective garment can help prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of skin cancer. Such clothing should include a UPF rating label. We always recommend consumers check that rating, so they know exactly how much protection the product provides.
How did we test the shirt?
Taking into account the conditions this garment would be subjected to, we chose to test the shirt’s UV protection against internationally recognized standards – AATCC TM183 and ASTM D6544. We also modified the sample preparation process to simulate the oceanic environmental conditions. It was important to ensure the UV protective function truly would hold up and be durable.
Samples were first subjected to 40 machine wash cycles, then exposed to simulated sunlight for defined period of time to measure how much radiation the fabric still blocked after washes and UV exposure. The shirt demonstrated excellent, durable UV protective property.
Considering the oceanic weather conditions and wearing experiences of the team, we went further. Additional samples were pre-conditioned by prolonged soaking in artificial seawater and synthetic perspiration before re-testing. Surprisingly, UV protection did not decline – in fact, it slightly improved, particularly after seawater exposure. This gives the 44west team full confidence that the shirt will maintain UPF 50+ performance under the wearing conditions on the boat.
What would surprise people about what goes into the testing of a long-sleeved shirt?
I often talk with my friends about testing and what I’m doing at SGS. They are always amazed at how much is involved when it comes to testing. Take the 44west team’s basic, 100% polyester T-shirt as an example. There are so many things to test and verify: Is the fabric strong enough? Do the claimed functions really work as they are supposed to? Are there any toxic chemicals remaining that may transfer and migrate into human skin or the environment? When it is washed, will it release any microplastics or microfibers. You know, microplastics have become a global environmental issue, threatening the health of marine life and humans.
How can SGS meet your apparel and fabric testing needs?
From head to toe, experts delivering our softlines services conduct testing to ensure the quality, safety, sustainability and regulatory compliance of products, at every stage of the value chain. In addition to the UV testing carried out for 44west, our expert services include functional and performance wear testing, which tests products claims including breathability, quick drying and wicking.
