Finishing of technical textiles - II

Army clothing

Usual fibre composition: 100 per cent 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 effected by any of following procedures :

• Padding
• Coating

Besides these two basic procedures there is requirement of either pre- calendaring or post
calendaring to enhance the effects.

Finishing product range include:

Repellent/release

Mainly, flurochemicals 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) PYROVATIM
PBS gives semi-durable effects required for the upholstery industries of the automotive &
aviation industries.

Waterproof

Paraffin wax based products giving excellent water proof properties to a range of textile
fibres 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

dihydroxydichlorodiphenylmethane and a benzimide azoles derivative. Ciba(r)
FUNGITEX ROP can be used for fungicidal finish of cotton, linen, polyester/cotton
fabrics for tents, tarpaulins and rucksacks.
Antistatic

Modified organic phosphorous compound are extremely effective at preventing static

build up. Ciba(r)ZEROSTAT(r) AT new is an extremely effective antistatic agent for
treating of synthetic fibres 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 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 cellulosics with resins offer these fabrics good dimensional stability. Good
shrinkage control and shape retention of protective clothing are 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 tech
non- conventional polymers which enhance specific properties or else special high tech
finished conventional fibres or a combination of both.
Technical textiles are likely to play an important role in infrastructure development,
agriculture, medical, hygiene and specialised 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.

(The author is manager - technical support, Ciba Specialty Chemicals (India), Textile
Effects- TC. The previous issue inadvertently mentioned that the author is with Clariant.
The error is regretted.)