Multifunctional Nanocaoted Fabrics

Abstract Funtionalization of woven and non woven textiles using nanotechnology, or conformal grafting of functional molecules on fabric fibers, is been performed by immersing the fabric in a water/solvent based solution. Sigma is developing a unique "dry" surface functiomalization technology that does not require the use of water or solvent chemistry to functionalize fabric fibers. Nanolayers of highly cross linked and durable functional polymers are bonded onto the fabric fibers with no effect on porosity or breathability. The Sigma DryFab process can duplicate the effects of conventional wet chemistry processes (Dupont Teflon, NanoTex, etc) at higher line speeds and beyond that, it can treat each side of a fabric differently. For example a blouse produced from a single fabric layer could resist oil and water wetting on the outside surface while it will absorb and wick inside to assure efficient moisture management and cooling. Phase I efforts will focus on applying multiple functionality treatments on two or three select fabrics and determine the number and type of functional properties that be bundled together on a single fabric . This will include oil and water repellency, flame resistance, anti-microbial and wrinkle free. The fabrics will be exposed to washing machine and dry cleaning tests as well as flame resistance and bacterial tests. A cost analysis will be performed to demonstrate economic feasibility.