Prediction methods of skin burn for performance evaluation of thermal protective clothing

• Different prediction methods of burn for clothing evaluation are reviewed.
• The Stoll criterion based on empirical data determines the onset of skin burn.
• The mathematical model involves a heat transfer model and a burn model.
• Skin thermal properties and parameters of burn will affect the model results.
• A new prediction method should be developed especially for lower heat exposure.

Most test methods use skin burn prediction to evaluate the thermal protective performance of clothing. In this paper, we reviewed different burn prediction methods used in clothing evaluation. The empirical criterion and the mathematical model were analyzed in detail as well as their relationship and limitations. Using an empirical criterion, the onset of skin burn is determined by the accumulated skin surface energy in certain periods. On the other hand, the mathematical model, which indicates denatured collagen, is more complex, which involves a heat transfer model and a burn model. Further studies should be conducted to examine the situations where the prediction methods are derived. New technologies may be used in the future to explore precise or suitable prediction methods for both flash fire tests and increasingly lower-intensity tests.