Evaluation of a one-bath process for imparting repellency and antimicrobial activity to nonwoven surgical gown and patient drape fabrics.

摘要

A one-bath process to apply a fluorochemical repellent finish and each of two antimicrobial finishes was investigated in this study. The finishes were applied to two nonwoven fabrics: a wood pulp/polyester spunlaced fabric and a polypropylene spunbonded/meltblown/spunbonded fabric. Four different add-on levels of the repellent finish and each of the antimicrobial finishes were applied to each fabric, resulting in sixteen finish combinations per fabric. Chemical compatibility of the repellent finish with each antimicrobial finish, repellent properties, barrier properties, and antimicrobial properties of the untreated and treated and fabrics were evaluated.; Results show that the repellent finish and each of the antimicrobial finishes were compatible for application in a one-bath process, and sufficient fabric repellent properties, and antimicrobial properties could be obtained on the fabrics treated by this process. To achieve acceptable repellent and antimicrobial properties, minimum chemical add-on levels of the repellent finish and each of the antimicrobial finishes applied to each fabric were determined. Results of the repellent, barrier and antimicrobial properties of the untreated and treated fabrics were also evaluated. The effectiveness of the repellent finish was influenced by the presence of each of two antimicrobial finishes while the effectiveness of antimicrobial finishes was not influenced by the repellent finish.