Copper has been used as a biocide by Celts, Indians, American pioneers and Japanese, as well as by inhabitants of Africa and Asia for treating sores and skin diseases.
Copper compounds find novel applications in the textile industry where they are used as bactericides, algaecides, fungicides or molluscicides.
Socks containing 12% copper impregnated fibers were washed at least 100 consecutive times by using AATCC test method (TM) 150. The copper impregnated fibers were analyzed by scanning electronic microscope (SEM).
Even after repeated washing, the amount of copper particles throughout the fibers had not changed. Moreover, there was no reduction in copper oxide particles in socks, used and worn 75 times.
Properties of copper are utilized in two durable platform technologies. The first one plates cotton fibers with copper oxide and the second one impregnates polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyolefin, or nylon fibers with copper oxide.
Both technologies endow the fibers with potent broad-spectrum anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-mite properties.
Click here to read the complete article.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India