Testing Silver-Coated Nylon Fibers as Electrical Conductors

Electro-textiles for connecting electronic devices might eventually be embedded in clothing.

Tests have been performed in an effort to gain understanding of electrical and mechanical properties of silver- coated nylon fibers subjected to stresses and strains and exposed to various environmental conditions. This effort is part of a larger effort to develop electro-textiles (“e-textiles”) [electrically conductive textiles] that could be incorporated into future Army combat uniforms and used therein to couple electrical power and signals between electronic devices. Understanding of the effects of stresses, strains, and environmental conditions is important because of a need to ensure adequate performance of e-textiles under the widely varying, harsh conditions to which military uniforms are exposed when worn in extreme climates, during laundering, and during storage at high temperatures.