High-Visibility and Photoluminescent Polyester
topic
High-visibility (HiVis) polyester fabrics for PPE (EN ISO 20471): fluorescent yellow-green (fluorescent dye + optical brightener combination absorbs UV, emits visible light >550 nm — maximum human eye sensitivity) or fluorescent orange-red. Retroreflective strips: glass microspheres or microprismatic tape sewn or bonded to fabric. Photoluminescent (glow-in-dark) polyester: strontium aluminate phosphor coated filaments (SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺) — afterglow >8 hours. Fluorescent dye lightfastness (ISO 105-B04, xenon arc) is critical.
Role
HiVis and photoluminescent polyester are important in protective clothing science, integrating colorimetry, photophysics of fluorescence, optical brightening mechanisms, and durability testing standards relevant to safety-critical textile applications.