Finishing Technical Textiles
While using normal fibers to produce technical textiles it is imperative that high tech functional finishes are imparted to them to make them functionally superior and relevant to the end use application such as anti-bacterial, anti-static, UV protective, thermal, or biodegradable functions – are playing an increasingly important role. Since technical textiles are generally not fashion oriented, performance requirements and technical specifications determine the success of a product.Therefore fi
Army Clothing
Usual fiber composition: 100 percent CO, CO/PES 85/15, CO/aramide 65/35. Finishing goals: dimensional stability, water/ oil repellency, waterproof, flexible at low temperatures, fast to washing and dry cleaning, flame retardancy, heat-resistant, IR remission.The finishing’s can be affected by any of following procedures :
- Padding
- Coating
Besides these two basic procedures, there is a requirement of either pre-calendaring or post calendering to enhance the effects.
Finishing Product Ranges
Repellent/release
Mainly, fluorochemicals applied by padding or coating onto the textiles to impart resistance to water pressure, water repellent, oil repellent (stain repellent), stain release properties.Ciba(r) OLEOPHOBOL or Ciba(r) PHOBOTEX range of products provide durable effects.
Flame-retardant
Organic phosphorus compound, applied by padding normally. Ciba(r) PYROVATEX CP New imparts durable effects especially required for work wear. Ciba(r) PYROVATIMPBS gives semi-durable effects required for the upholstery industries of the automotive & aviation industries.
Waterproof
Paraffin wax based products giving excellent waterproof properties to a range of textile fibers such as cotton, polyamide, PAN, and wool. Ciba(r) HYDROPHOBOL ZAN or APK gives good water repellent effects and high water pressure resistance.
Fast to rotting/mildew resistant
Emulsion free of metal salts consisting of fatty acid esters of dihydroxy dichloro diphenylmethane and a benzamide azoles derivative. Ciba(r)FUNGITEX ROP can be used for the fungicidal finish of cotton, linen, polyester/cotton fabrics for tents, tarpaulins, and rucksacks.
Antistatic
The modified organic phosphorous compound is extremely effective at preventing static build up. Ciba(r)ZEROSTAT(r) AT new is an extremely effective antistatic agent for treating synthetic fibers and their blends to overcome electrostatic-related problems in fabric use.
Thermal insulation
Aluminum foil coated under high vacuum conditions: the foil is glued on in a high vacuum so that a bond between the surface of the fabric and the foil are guaranteed at nearly every point; for technical applications (mainly in use with Kevlar or preox/p-aramid) to insulate thermal radiation. Also in use as outside of suits and clothes made from Kevlar (melting ovens and blast-furnace plants).
Weather protection
Membranes coated onto protective clothing (e.g. firemen) assure, that no water can penetrate the clothing from outside to inside; at the same time, the membrane has good porosity, i.e. vapor (body perspiration) can penetrate through the membrane to the outside.
Slip-resistant
Aqueous based coating using acrylic/ poly urathane compounds are used for adhesion of yarns successfully to prevent slippage under stress. Ciba(r) DICRYLAN AHS gives good adhesion on nearly all substrates, especially on polyester and polyamide.
Handle modification/abrasion resistance
Applied by padding with silicone or polyurethane compounds onto the fabrics to achieve soft, supple and smooth surface. Ciba(r) ULTRATEX(r) and DICRYLAN(r) ranges offer wide variety of handles and abrasion resistance.
Dimensional stability
Treating of cellulosic with resins offer these fabrics good dimensional stability. control and shape retention of protective clothing is maintained even after several washes by using Ciba(r) KNITTEX resins.
conclusion
Technical textiles are value-added products which are produced out of either high techno- conventional polymers which enhance specific properties or else special high tech finished conventional fibers or a combination of both.
Technical textiles are likely to play an important role in infrastructure development, agriculture, medical, hygiene and specialized sports and apparel wear as major applications. Alternatively, developments in functional finishes could shape the future of the textile industry on to the path of growth in quantum leaps and bounds.
