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| Medical clothing can be treated with a special finish based upon a microstructured titanium dioxide to diminish bacterial growth (Photo: John Heathcoat & Co) |
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Function is often the most important parameter to determine the value of technical textiles. Whether technical textiles are used for automotive, construction, safety, medical, geological, agricultural and other applications, they usually have been treated with particular finishing and chemical processes for desired / required performance and durability. They can be more stable against mechanical, chemical, photochemical or thermal influences; more stable under ultraviolet rays; more repellent against water, oil and soil; and offering antistatic and electromagnetic protective properties. Other considerations include hand feel, appearance, hygiene and laundering, preferred by or available to end users.
The world market for technical textiles annually expands by 4-5% depending on the area of application, according to M. S. Verma, Vice President – Technical Textiles, Reliance Industries Limited. Production of technical textiles is likely to increase in Asia at the expense of production in North America and Europe, especially when some Asian countries have become more highly developed and industrialised.
The growing technical textile sector in Asia and elsewhere has attracted further development on finishing and coating technologies.
In general, the technical performance of textile materials can be enhanced by the use of appropriate chemical finishes, either to modify the bulk and / or surface properties of the fibres. Such chemical finishes must be durable under the conditions of the end use and the manufacturers of chemical finishes are devoting research and development facilities to service the growing technical textile sector.
For protection, barrier and more properties
Protection and barrier functions are crucial to technical textiles for outdoor applications such as awnings, tarpaulins and roof underlayments. These end articles can achieve some desired properties including UV stability, resistance to hydrolysis and ageing, light-fastness and flame retardancy, through a functional finishing or coating, explains Huntsman Textile Effects.
Technical textiles for outdoor applications such as awnings, tents, flags etc, especially manufactured from polyester filaments, benefit from possessing self-cleaning properties. Thus when exposed to rain any dirt particulates and other soils can be simply removed, retaining a pristine-like appearance.
Important outlets for vector protection finishes are battle dress uniforms, tents and apparel for outdoors in order to protect soldiers and travellers against mosquitoes, flies, ticks, lice and fleas and diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis and Lyme disease. Durability of the finish to washing is very important and Tanatex Chemicals BV (The Netherlands) have recently introduced a novel urethane binder, Baypret Nano-PU which increases the durability of the insect proofing agent Eulan SPA 01 (a synthetic pyrethroid based upon 25:75 Cis:Trans Permethrin and a certified Oeko-Tex Standard 100 product).
The Silverplus finish of Rudolf Chemie (Germany) is based upon a microstructured titanium dioxide. This acts as a carrier for the antibacterial agent, silver chloride, which under moist conditions (e.g. perspiration) releases antibacterial silver ions. For example, John Heathcoat & Co offers antibacterial wear treated with the Silverplus technology to hospital staffers. The silver control of the hospital apparel restricts the growth of bacteria to reduce the risk of infection and cross contamination.
A detailed report will be published in ATA Journal Oct/Nov 2010
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