Technical Textile:
An overview on anti-odour fabrics
We are in an era where consumers are increasingly
looking for active, healthy and hygienic lifestyles.
Today’s active fast-moving lifestyle tends to be
categorized by the generation of sweat, hence
leading unpleasant odours as a result of the buildup of bacteria. Consequently, demand for antiodour clothing has increased and consumers are
ready to pay a premium for such products.
Developers of odour management technologies
have made major advances in recent years, and
manufacturers are now able to choose from a
variety of anti-odour fibres, yarns and fabric finishes
which best meet their needs and add value to their
products.
Sources of odour
Unpleasant odours in clothing can be developed
from several sources ranging from personal habits,
someone’s occupation or external factors, for
instance;
 Perspiration
 Cigarette smoke
 Household cooking
 Pets
 Air pollution
 Stains
 Industrial materials
The most common and socially most unacceptable
odour in clothing is the body odour coming from
perspiration. This is caused by the presence of
micro-organisms, which multiply rapidly under
convenient conditions.
Usually majority of
these bacteria are not harmful to human health,
however, excessive bacterial growth may cause few
problems like allergies, odours and susceptibility to
infection.
Micro-organisms can get transferred from the
human skin to the textile fibres, and ultimately get
stuck to it. Owing to the presence of sweat, skin
particles and even other natural particles, the microorganisms grow and develop on the fibres, which
can eventually damage the fabric. An example of
such fabric is towel as it dries slowly.
The best way to minimise the growth of microorganisms is to eliminate moisture using fabrics
which have a proper moisture management
aspects.
Antibacterial Agents
Defined as a natural or synthetic element, an
antibacterial agent hinder the proliferation and
eliminate micro-organisms in fabrics. There exists a
wide range of antimicrobial technologies which vary
depending on the degree of protection they provide
against micro-organisms. It is important to highlight
that antimicrobial agents not only protect the wearer
but also preserve the fabric. They have properties
that destroy micro-organisms causing diseases,
prevent the risk of skin infection as a result of fungi
and make the wearer feels more comfortable by
killing odour-producing bacteria. Furthermore, they
preserve the fabric by protecting them against
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discolouration and deterioration from mould, mildew
and fungi.
There are three methods through which
antimicrobial elements can be introduced into a
fabric. These are:
1. Putting the antimicrobial agent into a
polymer solution before the extrusion of the
synthetic fibre
2. Merging the antimicrobial compounds into
the fabric structure through chemical
bonding
3. Applying the antimicrobial agent during
textile finishing
There exists two types of antimicrobial agents;
leachable and non-leachable agents. Leachable
agents, also known as unbound agents, are found
in a reservoir which is situated either on the fabric
surface or inside of the fabric. On the other hand,
non-leachable agents which are also known as
bound agents, are permanently attached to the
surface of the fabric. There also exists antimicrobial treatments during which reservoir of antibacterial agents can be renewed through laundering
by using additives such as household bleach.
Another more advanced technology is the use of
microencapsulation to have a controlled release of
anti-microbial agents. A proper control can be
achieved by the use of microcapsules inside which
the agents are stored. The shells of the capsules
can be broken through agitation or by applying
mechanical pressure.
There are several antimicrobial agents used for
garments, among which the main types are:
 Chitosan
 Halogenated
 N-halamines
 Polybiguanides
 Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs)
 Metals, metallic salts and metal oxides
Chitosan is made from chitin, which has a chemical
structure very similar to that of cellulose. Chitosan
can be incorporated in synthetic fibres while the
latter are being spun from polymer. Also, it can be
used in the form of a finish to treat surfaces of
natural fibres such as cellulose fibres, silk and wool.
However, it is soluble only in acidic conditions and
ultimately has a stronger anti-microbial action in
acidic conditions. It is available in abundant and has
numerous advantages such as:
‐ 100% biodegradable
‐ Highly effective as an antibacterial
‐ Non-toxic
Halogenated phenols is made of a group of
compounds which include triclosan (one of the most
durable types of organic anti-microbial agent on the
market). The agent is effective at low concentration
against a wide range of micro-organisms. It works
by penetrating and dissolving the cell walls of the
micro-organism, and this causes leakage of the
metabolites which are critical for its survival, thereby
preventing the micro-organism from functioning and
reproducing. However, due to environmental issues
and human health concerns, the use of triclosan is
being reduced.
N-halamines is made of nitrogen-chlorine bonds
which release positively changed chlorine atoms
that join together with micro-organisms and kill
them. After fighting with the micro-organisms, the
nitrogen-chloride bonds turn into nitrogen-hydrogen,
which has no anti-microbial properties since it is an
inactive bond. However, this inactive bond can be
reanimated and changed to nitrogen-chloride
through laundering with chlorine bleach solvents.
Polybiguanides is made of a group of compounds
that includes polyhexamenthylene biguanide
(PHMB). It is applied to textile substances by
means of exhaustion or pad-dry-cure application.
PHMB is a non-leachable anti-microbial agent
having a low rate of toxicity. Furthermore, it is
soluble in water and has properties which hinder the
growth of most bacteria when used in
concentrations between 5 mg/ml and 25 mg/ml.
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are
cationic and can be applied to the surfaces of
fabrics made from fibres which have an anionic
charge in water. The cationic ammonium part of the
QAC molecule disrupts the cells of the microbes,
including bacteria, fungi and some viruses.
However, QACs are prone to leaching from textile
substances due to a lack of physical bonding
between the compound and the fabric.
Metals, metallic salts and metal oxide
compounds have long been used as anti-microbial
agents. Metallic salt, being less costly than metals,
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are usually used as a substitute to metals. There
are three types of metals used as anti-microbial
agents in textiles; cobalt, copper and silver, which is
the most popular one.
Silver-based anti-microbial agents
The most common form of silver used in textile is
silver salts. The silver-based agents release silver
ions when they come in contact with moisture, such
as perspiration. The ions, considered as toxic for a
wide range of micro-organisms, are freed gradually
and progressively, thereby providing long lasting
effectiveness in hindering the growth of microorganisms. For an indication of its effectiveness, as
little as one part per billion silver is required to stop
the population of some bacteria. Silver-based antimicrobial agents are mainly being used by
manufacturers of sportswear and of other
performance apparel to benefit from its odour
control properties. It is also being used in outfit such
as military clothing, protective clothing, socks and
space units. Furthermore, silver nanoparticles, or
nanosilver, is being used increasingly in high
performance fabrics. These particles measure
between 1 nanometre and 100 nanometres and has
a relatively large surface area in relation to its
particle size. This property of nanosilver allows
silver ions to be released at a higher rate.
In addition to silver, nanoparticles of copper oxide,
zinc oxide and titanium dioxide have been
developed.
Requirements for antimicrobial agents used in
garments
Antimicrobial agents must fulfil certain criteria to be
effective, such as:
1. Hindering growth of micro-organisms
2. Easy application on the fabric
3. Long lasting; ideally it should be durable
over the life of the treated fabric
4. Enduring repeated laundering
5. Not having adverse effects on important
properties of the textile
6. Be compatible with other finishing agents
used in the textile
Nowadays these fabrics are becoming more widely
available and are therefore being used in everyday
apparel such as jeans. Following a research done in
2016 by the Dow Chemical Company, it was found
that consumers are concerned about presence of
bacteria and are ready to pay a premium price for
textiles incorporating odour resistant properties.
Emerging demands for anti-odour fabrics
There is an increasing number of consumers who
are investing in athleisure apparel and sportswear
in the aim of adopting a healthy and active lifestyle.
Resistant to odour could be considered to be an
important feature of such apparel as it prevents the
garments from developing unpleasant odours after
they have been worn during an athletic activity.
There is also an increasing demand for personal
protective equipment (PPE) and workwear which
incorporate
odour resistant
properties,
as
consumers seek work apparel which is more
comfortable to wear and which prevents the
development of body odour.
Several advances have been made in the
development of odour resistant textiles and apparel
in recent years. These products vary in terms of the
antimicrobial or anti-odour agents used and the way
in which they function. Many anti-odour
technologies
are
based
on
antimicrobial
technologies, while others operate through the
absorption and release of odour molecules.
Manufacturers also have to ensure that the agents
do not react with properties of other finishing
treatments applied to the fabric. The safety and
durability of the fabric are also important factors that
the manufacturers have to focus on, as consumers
are increasingly seeking for hygiene and comfort.
Anti-odour textiles and apparel
The primary purpose of anti-odour fabrics are for
hygiene and comfort to the wearer. Initially these
fabrics were mainly used to manufacture footwear
linings, socks, sportswear and underwear.
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Tel: 230 212 9760
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