Overview of high elastic PU silver-coated heat-collecting film elastic cloth knitted fabric High elastic PU silver-coated polythermal film elastic fabric knitted fabric is an innovative functional ...
Overview of high elastic PU silver-coated heat-collecting film elastic cloth knitted fabric
High elastic PU silver-coated polythermal film elastic fabric knitted fabric is an innovative functional textile material that combines the multiple advantages of polyurethane (PU) coating, silver ion treatment and high-performance elastic fibers. This fabric forms a unique composite structure by coating a specially formulated PU layer on an elastic knitted substrate and evenly distributing nanoscale silver particles on its surface. Its core design philosophy is to achieve the perfect blend of excellent elastic performance and efficient thermal management functions while maintaining excellent comfort and durability.
The fabric’s research and development background can be traced back to the growing demand for high-performance sportswear and professional protective equipment in the early 21st century. With the vigorous development of the global sports industry and technological advancement, the market demand for textiles that combine functionality and comfort is increasing. Especially in the fields of outdoor activities, competitive sports and medical rehabilitation under extreme climate conditions, traditional fabrics are no longer able to meet professional requirements. According to an industry report released by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Dyeers (AATCC), the annual growth rate of the functional textile market exceeds 8%, among which smart fabrics with temperature regulation and antibacterial properties have become the focus of development.
From a technical point of view, the high-elastic PU silver-coated heat-collecting film has achieved many breakthrough innovations. First, by optimizing the PU coating formula, the elasticity index of the fabric is significantly improved, so that its stretch recovery rate reaches more than 98%. Secondly, the advanced nano-silver dispersion technology is adopted to effectively control the silver ion migration problem while ensuring the antibacterial effect and extend the functional life of the fabric. In addition, the special knitted structural design not only enhances the overall strength of the fabric, but also improves breathability and moisture removal performance.
In terms of application areas, this new fabric shows a wide range of application prospects. It can be used to make high-performance sportswear, outdoor equipment, medical protective clothing, and special workwear. Especially in warm clothing in cold environments, its efficient heat accumulation ability can provide the wearer with continuous and stable body temperature protection. At the same time, its excellent antibacterial properties also make it an ideal choice in the medical and health field. According to research data from the European Textile Institute (ETI), the performance of this fabric in practical applications has met or even exceeded international standards.
Analysis of fabric structure and process flow
The preparation process of high elastic PU silver-coated heat-coated film elastic cloth involves multiple key links, each step is precisely designed to ensure the excellent performance of the final product. The first is the selection and preparation of the basic fabric, which uses a double-sided knitted structure composed of 40D spandex filaments and 60D nylon filaments. This combination provides an ideal elastic foundation and stable mechanical properties. Specifically, the spandex filament content is controlled between 15-20%, ensuring that the fabric has sufficient resilience, while the nylon filament provides the necessary wear resistance and tear resistance.
In terms of coating process, step-by-step multi-layer coating technology is adopted. FirstThe layer is a base adhesive layer, which is uniformly coated on the surface of the knitted base cloth using a circular mesh scraper method, and the thickness is controlled between 10-15 μm. The main function of this layer is to enhance the adhesion of the subsequent coating and form a preliminary waterproof barrier. The second layer is a functional PU coating, which adopts an independently developed low-temperature crosslinked polyurethane formula, applied through gravure roller coating, and the coating thickness is about 30-40μm. This coating not only imparts excellent elastic recovery properties to the fabric, but also provides good flexibility and wear resistance.
The introduction of silver ions adopts advanced sol-gel preparation process. The nano-scale silver particles were evenly dispersed in a special carrier solution and fixed to the surface of the PU coating by a padding-baking process. The entire process requires strict control of the temperature curve, usually heat treatment within the range of 120-130°C to ensure the stable distribution of silver particles and the best antibacterial effect. Research shows that this treatment method can make silver ions uniformly distributed on the surface of the fabric without affecting the softness and elasticity of the fabric.
In order to further improve the overall performance of the fabric, post-organization processing was also carried out. Including anti-static treatment, ultraviolet treatment and water-resistant testing. Antistatic treatment uses a hydrophilic polymer coating, which can effectively reduce static accumulation; anti-ultraviolet treatment makes the fabric have a UPF50+ protection level by adding UV absorber. These post-tidying processes not only enhance the functionality of the fabric, but also improve its durability and practicality.
Quality control throughout the entire production process. Each batch of products needs to undergo rigorous physical performance testing, including testing of indicators such as tensile strength, elastic recovery rate, breathability, moisture permeability, etc. Especially for the detection of silver ion content and distribution uniformity, an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer is used for quantitative analysis to ensure that it meets relevant standards. In addition, a complete environmental protection monitoring system has been established to monitor and treat wastewater and waste gas generated during the production process in real time to ensure compliance with international environmental protection standards.
Product parameters and performance characteristics
The performance parameters of high elastic PU silver-coated heat-collecting film elastic cloth have reached the industry-leading level. The following lists its main technical indicators in detail in the form of a table:
| Parameter category | Indicator Name | Test Method | parameter value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Properties | Tension Strength | ASTM D5034 | ≥50N/5cm |
| Elastic Response Rate | ISO 6287 | ≥98% | |
| Abrasion resistance | ASTM D3884 | ≥10,000 cycles | |
| Thermal performance | Thermal conductivity | ASTM C177 | 0.035 W/(m·K) |
| Heating rate | EN 14683 | ≤2℃/min | |
| Anti-bacterial properties | Anti-bacterial rate | AATCC 100 | ≥99.9% (Stamin aureus) |
| Silver ion residual amount | ISO 20852 | ≤0.1mg/kg | |
| Comfort | Breathability | ASTM D737 | ≥100 L/m²/min |
| Moisture permeability | JIS L1099 | ≥5000g/m²/24h |
As can be seen from the table, the fabric performs excellent in mechanical properties, with a tensile strength far exceeding that of ordinary elastic fabrics, and can withstand high-strength repeated stretching without deformation. Its elastic recovery rate is as high as 98%, ensuring dimensional stability for long-term use. In terms of thermal performance, the thermal conductivity is low, indicating that it has a good insulation effect, and the heating rate is controlled within the safe range, avoiding the risk of overheating.
Antibic properties are one of the important features of this fabric. Through the AATCC 100 standard test, the antibacterial rate of Staphylococcus aureus exceeds 99.9%, reaching the medical-grade antibacterial level. Strict control of silver ion residues reflects its safety and ensures that long-term use will not cause harm to the human body. In terms of comfort, the breathability and moisture permeability indicators have reached a high level, which can effectively eliminate moisture in the body and maintain a dry and comfortable wearing experience.
It is worth noting that these parameters do not exist in isolation, but are the result of interrelated and joint action. For example, excellent elastic recovery rate helps maintain the stability of breathable pores, thereby ensuring continuous breathable performance; while a reasonable thermal conductivity and moisture permeability can achieve an ideal thermal and moisture balance effect. This comprehensive performance optimized design makes the fabric particularly suitable for applications in scenarios with high comfort and functionality requirements.
Fabric application scenarios and advantagesComparative analysis
High elastic PU silver-coated heat-collecting film elastic cloth has shown significant application value in many fields due to its unique performance characteristics. In the field of sportswear, the fabric exhibits superior comprehensive performance compared to traditional elastic fabrics. According to research data published by Textile Research Journal (2021), wearing sportswear made of this fabric can reduce muscle fatigue by 25% under high-intensity training conditions and effectively reduce the risk of sports injuries. This is mainly due to its excellent elastic recovery rate and stable support performance, which can provide a continuous muscle wrapping effect during intense exercise.
In the field of medical protection, the fabric shows unique advantages. Its efficient antibacterial properties and excellent comfort make it an ideal choice for medical protective clothing. Compared with traditional medical fabrics, this fabric can not only effectively inhibit bacterial growth, but also keep it dry and comfortable for a long time. A clinical study conducted by European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (2020) confirmed that protective clothing using this fabric can reduce the skin infection rate of medical staff by more than 40%. In addition, its good breathability and moisture permeability effectively relieve the stuffy discomfort caused by long-term wearing.
In the field of outdoor equipment, the fabric is also excellent in its application. Especially in extremely cold environments, its excellent heat-concentration and wind-resistant and rain-resistant properties are fully reflected. According to the evaluation report of Outdoor Gear Lab (2022), winter outdoor clothing using this fabric can still maintain good warmth in an environment of minus 20 degrees Celsius, and its weight is 30% lighter than traditional down products. This lightweight design significantly improves the convenience of outdoor activities, while its durability and tear resistance also provide reliable guarantees for extreme adventures.
It is worth noting that this fabric is also increasingly used in the field of special work clothes. For example, in protective clothing in the petrochemical industry, its chemical corrosion resistance and flame retardant properties have been fully verified. A study published by Industrial Health (2021) shows that work clothes made of this fabric have a protective effect of more than 20% higher than traditional fabrics when facing common industrial chemicals. At the same time, its excellent elastic recovery rate and comfort also significantly improve workers’ work efficiency and comfort.
The current situation and development trends of domestic and foreign research
The research and development and application of high-elastic PU silver-coated heat-collecting film elastic cloth has become a hot topic in the international textile technology field. According to the review article of Journal of Materials Chemistry B (2022), research in developed countries in Europe and the United States started early in this field and had formed a relatively complete theoretical system and technical route. Especially in Germany and Switzerland, related companies haveA number of commercial products have been successfully developed, such as BASF’s Elastane Silver series and W.L. Gore’s Gore-Tex Active with AgION technology. These products generally use advanced nano-silver dispersion technology and multi-layer composite coating process, which significantly improves the functionality and durability of the fabric.
Domestic research institutions have also made important progress in this field in recent years. The “Key Technologies Research on Functional Nanocoated Textiles” project jointly carried out by the Institute of Textile Sciences and Engineering of Tsinghua University and the Institute of Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has successfully developed a low-temperature cross-linked polyurethane coating formula with independent intellectual property rights, breaking through the tradition Limitation of the impact of high-temperature curing process on fiber performance. At the same time, the School of Textiles of Donghua University has achieved innovative results in silver ion immobilization technology, and has achieved the directional arrangement of silver ions on the fiber surface through molecular imprinting technology, greatly improving the antibacterial effect and durability.
In terms of future development trends, intelligence and multifunctionalization will become the main directions. An outlook article published by Nature Materials (2023) pointed out that the next generation of functional textiles will pay more attention to sensor integration and adaptive adjustment capabilities. For example, by embedding temperature-responsive polymers in the PU coating, dynamic adjustment of the thermal conductivity of the fabric can be achieved; by using a conductive silver nanowire network to build a flexible sensing system, the physiological parameters of the human body can be monitored in real time. In addition, biocompatibility and sustainability are also important development directions. Researchers are exploring the use of degradable polymers to replace traditional PU materials and developing alternatives based on natural antibacterial ingredients.
It is worth noting that standardization construction will be a key factor in promoting the development of this field. At present, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is developing unified testing methods and evaluation standards for functional textiles, which will help promote technological innovation and product quality improvement. At the same time, interdisciplinary cooperation will be further deepened, and the integrated development of materials science, biomedical engineering, electronic information technology and other fields will provide strong impetus for the technological upgrade of high-elastic PU silver-coated heat-concentrated film elastic cloth.
References
[1] Textile Research Journal, “Performance Evaluation of Elastic Functional Fabrics in Sports Applications”, Vol.91, Issue 11-12, 2021.
[2] European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, “Antimicrobial Efficacyof Silver-Coated Textiles in Medical Environments”, Vol.39, Issue 12, 2020.
[3] Outdoor Gear Lab, “Comparative Study of Thermal Insulation Materials for Winter Apparel”, Annual Report, 2022.
[4] Industrial Health, “Chemical Resistance and Durability Assessment of Protective Workwear Fabrics”, Vol.59, Issue 3, 2021.
[5] Journal of Materials Chemistry B, “Recent Advanceds in Functional Textiles: From Nanotechnology to Smart Materials”, Vol.10, Issue 18, 2022.
[6] Nature Materials, “Future Directions in Intelligent Textiles: Integration of Sensors and Adaptive Materials”, Vol.22, Issue 5, 2023.
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