New Antimicrobial Fabric

Tuesday 25th of November 2008 06:20:18 PM

So what will the researchers in the textile industry come up with next? There are all kinds of new materials being developed which are used in clothing manufacturing. Sportswear and promotional clothing is now made with wicking fabric. The wicking fabric draws moisture away from the body and dries quickly. This keeps clothes dry even during the most intensive physical activity. Now there is a new material which is called antimicrobial. This fabric actually offers antimicrobial protection to the wearer. Right now the fabric is being used primarily in uniforms worn by the military personnel and fire and safety industry workers.

Fabrics such as the wicking material and now the antimicrobial fabric are called performance fabrics. Performance fabrics do more than just clothe the body. They have special features which provide particular benefits not found in traditionally manufactured materials. Much of the focus in fabric research is related to minimizing bacterial growth on the body and on clothes.

The antimicrobial fabric was developed by NanoHorizons, Inc. and G.J. Littlewood & Son, Inc. The fabric works in this manner: NanoHorizons SmartSilver is applied to the fabric and it then bonds with fibres. It acts at the molecular level and creates a barrier against bacteria and odours. The SmartSilver is applied to the uniforms made out of materials such as Nomex, Kevlar and other specially designed protective clothing.

The Vice President of Global Marketing at NanoHorizons, Inc. is James Delattre. He was quoted as saying, “The combination of SmartSilver and Littlewood’s dyeing and finishing expertise provides highly valued benefits for performance fabrics used in fire, military, and safety occupations. SmartSilver protects fabrics from odour build up and microbial damage and degradation. Fabrics made with SmartSilver enhanced fibres also require fewer washings which helps fabrics last longer reduces the use of water and detergents.”

(c )Image by Saulonetgo Bicudon,www.sxc.hu/