Establishment of a digital simulated testing platform for radiation protection performance and preparation of three-layer coated flexible composites

Fire proximity suits serve as the highest level of thermal protective clothing for firefighters when passing through the scene of a fire and within close range of open fire. A digital simulated testing platform for radiation protection performance was established based on the TPP701D thermal protective performance tester, by comparison of simulated data and measured results for the outer material of the fire proximity suit. Using single-, double- and three-layer flexible composites and the fabric as the base material, the reliability of the established simulation test platform was investigated. Based on this simulated test platform, in this paper the influence of the material structure and performance parameters (thickness, thermal conductivity, specific heat, density, emission rate and thermal reflectivity) of the heat radiation layer possessed by the three types of coating (thermal radiation protective coating, fireproof heat insulated coating and heat insulating coating) of three-layer coated flexible composites are discussed, thus providing the theoretical basis for the optimization and preparation of alternative outer materials for fire proximity suits. Based on the simulation data and measured results, the radiation protection performance of the three-layer structure is enhanced. Improving the average reflectivity of the heat rays for the thermal radiation protective coating, increasing the thickness of the heat insulating coating and reducing the thermal conductivity of the heat insulating coating are effective means of improving the radiation protection performance of the three-layer coated flexible composites.