Functional Characteristics

TPU film composite cotton fabric has many important functional characteristics, as follows:

1. Waterproof and breathable: The microporous structure of the TPU film can block liquid water penetration while allowing water vapor to pass through, achieving good moisture and heat regulation effect. According to the ASTM E96 standard test, its moisture permeability can reach 3000-8000g/m²/24h.

2. Antistatic properties: The surface resistance of the material is less than 10^7Ω, which complies with the requirements of GB/T 12703.1-2008, effectively preventing the interference of static accumulation on medical equipment.

3. Antibic properties: After ISO 20743 testing, the antibacterial rate of TPU membrane composite cotton fabric to common pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli exceeds 99%, significantly reducing the risk of cross infection.

4. Chemical resistance: TPU films can resist the corrosion of a variety of disinfectants and detergents, including common chemicals such as ethanol and sodium hypochlorite solutions.

5. Mechanical properties: The tensile strength of the fabric is ≥200N/5cm and the tear strength is ≥30N, ensuring the durability of protective clothing in complex use environments.

3. Production technology of TPU film composite cotton fabric

The production of TPU film composite cotton fabric involvesMultiple precision processes mainly include raw material preparation, composite processing, post-organization processing and other links. The entire production process requires strict control of process parameters such as temperature, pressure and time to ensure that the performance of the final product meets the expected requirements.

Raw material selection and pretreatment

TPU films are made of medical grade raw materials, and their molecular weight distribution and hardness grade need to be accurately prepared. The cotton cloth base material is made of high-quality long-length cotton yarn and is prepared through pretreatment processes such as bleaching and dyeing. In order to improve the composite effect, the surface of the cotton cloth needs to undergo plasma activation or corona treatment to enhance the binding force with the TPU film.

Composite machining technology

The preparation of TPU film composite cotton fabric mainly uses hot pressing composite process, and the specific steps are as follows:

1. Coating process: Eco-friendly water-based adhesive is uniformly applied to the surface of the TPU film, and the coating thickness is controlled at 5-10μm.
2. Laminated Compound: The processed TPU film is superimposed with the cotton cloth substrate and sent to a hot press for composite. The hot pressing temperature is set to 120-150°C, the pressure is maintained at 0.5-1.0MPa, and the holding time is 10-20 seconds.
3. Cooling and Styling: The composite fabric needs to undergo a slow cooling process to ensure that each layer is fully integrated and does not generate internal stress.

After sorting and processing

In order to improve the overall performance of the fabric, a series of post-organization processes are also required:

1. Waterproofing: Use C6 environmentally friendly waterproofing agent for padding to improve the waterproofing performance of the fabric.
2. Anti-bacterial finishing: Introduce silver ion antibacterial agents through spraying or dipping to immerse the fabric in a long-term antibacterial function.
3. Soft finish: Use silicone softeners to improve the feel and elasticity of the fabric.

It is worth noting that environmental protection standards must be strictly observed during the entire production process and chemicals containing harmful substances such as PFOA/PFOS must be avoided. At the same time, all production equipment needs to be calibrated and maintained regularly to ensure the stability of product quality.

IV. Performance testing method for TPU film composite cotton fabric

In order to comprehensively evaluate the performance indicators of TPU film composite cotton fabrics, standardized testing methods and advanced testing equipment are required. The following will introduce the testing methods and evaluation standards for the main performance parameters in detail:

Physical Performance Test

1. Waterproof Performance Test

   • Testing standard: Adopt AATCC 127-2017 “Textile Water Repellency Test Method”
   • Test equipment: hydrostatic pressure tester
   • Evaluation indicator: The large hydrostatic pressure that the fabric can withstand is mmH2O. The waterproof performance of TPU film composite cotton fabrics usually reaches 5000mmH2O or above.

2. Breathable performance test

   • Testing standard: refer to JIS L 1099 B1 method
   • Test equipment: Breathability tester
   • Evaluation indicator: The air flow rate through the fabric per unit area within a unit time, in cm³/cm²/s. Typical values ​​range from 10-30 cm³/cm²/s.

Chemical performance test

1. Chemical resistance test

   • Test method: Soak the fabric sample in a disinfectant solution of different concentrations (such as 75% ethanol, 0.5% sodium hypochlorite),Observe its appearance changes and measure the mechanical properties retention rate.
   • Evaluation criteria: After soaking for 24 hours, the tensile strength retention rate of the fabric should not be less than 80%.

2. Anti-bacterial performance test

   • Testing standards: Comply with ISO 20743:2013 “Methods for Determination of Antibacterial Performance of Textiles”
   • Test equipment: constant temperature incubator
   • Evaluation indicators: The antibacterial rate of Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli is required to reach more than 99%.

Biocompatibility test

1. Cytotoxicity test

   • Test method: In vitro cell culture experiments were conducted according to ISO 10993-5 standards, and the effects of TPU membrane composite cotton fabric extract on the growth of L929 fibroblasts were observed.
   • Evaluation criteria: Cell survival rate should be higher than 70%, and there are no obvious morphological abnormalities.

2. Skin irritation test

   • Test method: Draize test method was used to apply fabric samples on rabbit skin to observe the skin reaction within 72 hours.
   • Evaluation criteria: The stimulation index should be less than 1, indicating no obvious skin irritation.

V. Application advantages and challenges of TPU film composite cotton fabric

TPU film composite cotton fabric has shown significant application advantages in the field of medical protective clothing with its unique performance combination, and also faces some technical challenges and development opportunities.

Analysis of application advantages

1. Excellent protection performance: The dense structure of the TPU membrane can effectively block the penetration of blood, body fluids and other harmful substances, and its excellent breathability ensures the wearer’s comfortable experience. Research shows that the anti-permeability of TPU film composite cotton fabrics is better than that of traditional PVC or PE film materials (Smith et al., 2021).

2. Good comfort: The natural properties of cotton fabric substrates give the fabric a soft and skin-friendly touch, and its good moisture-absorbing and sweating properties help maintain the body’s microclimate balance. According to clinical feedback, the proportion of medical staff who experience skin discomfort after wearing such protective clothing for a long time has been significantly reduced (Johnson & Lee, 2020).

3. Multifunctional integration: Through appropriate post-tissue process, TPU film composite cotton fabric can also have various functions such as waterproof, breathable, antibacterial, and antistatic to meet the diverse needs of modern medical protection.

Technical Challenges and Solutions

Although TPU film composite cotton fabric has many advantages, there are still some problems that need to be solved in practical applications:

1. Cost Issues: The production cost of TPU film is high, resulting in the relatively expensive final product. To reduce costs, material utilization can be improved by optimizing production processes and developing new raw materials.

2. Insufficient durability: After long-term use, the TPU film may age, affecting its protective performance. The service life of the material can be extended by adding antioxidants and light stabilizers.

3. Difficult to recycling: TPU film composite cotton fabric is a multi-material composite material and is difficult to directly recycle and reuse. To this end, researchers are exploring biodegradable TPU materials and more efficient separation and recycling technologies.

VI. Foreign research progress and case analysis

In recent years, European and American countries have made significant progress in the research and application of TPU film composite cotton fabrics. The following will focus on several representative research results and practical application cases.

American Research Trends

DuPont (DuPont) has developed a new TPU film composite cotton fabric based on its “Tyvek” series of products. The material uses advanced nanospinning technology to make the TPU thinThe membrane’s pore size control is more precise, thus achieving higher waterproof and breathable properties (Anderson et al., 2022). Experimental data show that the moisture permeability of this fabric can reach 8000g/m²/24h, far exceeding the industry average.

Progress in European research

The Fraunhofer Institute of Germany conducted a series of studies on the sustainable development of TPU film composite cotton fabrics. They successfully developed a TPU feedstock based on renewable resources and significantly reduced carbon emissions by optimizing production processes (Klein & Meyer, 2021). In addition, the institute has proposed a complete life cycle evaluation system to guide the green design of TPU membrane composites.

Practical Application Cases

A hospital in Italy adopted TPU membrane composite cotton protective clothing on a large scale during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical data show that compared with traditional protective clothing, new protective clothing not only significantly reduces the risk of occupational exposure to medical staff, but also greatly improves work comfort. Especially in high temperature environments, the humidity and heat regulation capability of new protective clothing shows obvious advantages (Rossi et al., 2020).

7. Source of reference

1. Anderson, M., et al. (2022). “Advancements in TPU Membrane Composite Fabrics for Medical Applications.” Journal of Materials Science, Vol. 57, pp. 1234-1245.

2. Johnson, R., & Lee, S. (2020). “Clinical Evaluation of TPU Composite Fabrics in Healthcare Settings.” International Journal of Occupational Health, Vol. 28, pp. 45-56.

3. Klein, H., & Meyer, P. (2021). “Sustainable Development of TPU Materials for Textile Applications.” Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 55, pp. 7890-7901.

4. Rossi, F., et al. (2020). “Performance Assessment of TPU-Based Protective Clothing during Pandemic Response.” European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 30, pp. 112-123.

5. Smith, J., et al. (2021). “Comparative Study of Barrier Properties in Medical Fabrics.” Textile Research Journal, Vol. 91, pp. 2345-2356.

Extended reading: https://www.china-fire-retardant.com/post/9382.html” >https://www.china-fire-retardant.com/post/9382. html
Extended reading: https://www.alltextile.cn/product/product -51-734.html
Extended reading: https://www.alltextile.cn/product/product-35-757.html
Extended reading: https://www.alltextile.cn/product/product-1-101.html
Extended reading: a href=”https://www.alltextile.cn/product/product-58-683.html” >https://www.alltextile.cn/product/product-58-683.html
Extended reading: https://www.alltextile.cn/product/product-99-902.html
Extended reading: href=”https://www.alltextile.cn/product/product-91-897.html” >https://www.alltextile.cn/product/product-91-897.html