Lecturers, Department of Fashion Technology

Kumara guru College of Technology, Coimbatore - 6

ABSTRACT

Bio shield AM 500 3- (trimethoxy silyl)- propyl - dimethyl octadecyl ammonium chloride was applied to cotton fabrics by a cold pad-batch method in the presence of an alkaline catalyst to evaluate its use as a durable antimicrobial finish. The antimicrobial activities of the Bio shield AM 500 treated cotton fabrics were evaluated quantitatively against AATCC 147 by Gram staining and Turbidity test method. The turbidity value was maintained over 187 even after being exposed to 15 consecutive home laundering conditions. The antimicrobial treated sweat sample was tested for microbial activity and the turbidity was 189.

INTRODUCTION

In the present day world most of us are very conscious about our hygiene and cleanliness. Clothing and textile materials are not only the carriers of microorganisms such as pathogenic bacteria, odour generating bacteria and mould fungi, but also good media for the growth of the microorganisms.

Microbial infestation poses danger to both living and non living matters. Obnoxious smell form the inner garments such as socks, spread of diseases, staining and degradation of textiles are some of the detrimental effects of bad microbes. Though the use of antimicrobials have been known for the decades, it is only in the recent couple of years several attempts have been made on finishing textiles with antimicrobial compounds. Anti microbial finish is a recent innovation in finishes. The consumers are now increasingly aware of the hygienic life style and there is a necessity and expectation for a wide range of textile products finished with antimicrobial properties. This finish prevents the growth of bacteria and products finished in it have been proved environment friendly and health protecting, preventing diseases. It also prevents garments from unpleasant odour.

In this research, subjective evaluations of antimicrobial finish applied fabrics are analyzed. The result of the antimicrobial activity is based on the standard test method AATCC 147 for evaluating antimicrobial effectiveness.

EXPERIMENTAL

Material used

Fabric

Cotton fabric with the following specification is scoured and bleached prior to the application of finish.

CHEMICAL USED

Bio shield AM 500 which is an aqueous solution of silicon quaternary ammonium salt, the key ingredient in it being 3 - (trimethoxy silyl) - propyl - dimethyl octadecyl ammonium chloride.

ANTIMICROBIAL FINISH

Pretreatment

The material is treated with 2g/l acetic acid at 70 ⁰C for 15 minutes with water. The liquor ratio is 1:20. The material is given a cold wash for 5 minutes. The pH is maintained at 7.