Stain Protection in Apparel: New Developments Offer Safer Solutions
This report analyses the impact of stain protection technologies on the apparel market and identifies the challenges that may be faced by manufacturers, notably consumer concerns that the technologies employed may not be safe or environmentally friendly. It also includes an analysis of developments in stain protection technologies -- highlighting specifically the types of treatments available. The report presents a wealth of other information, including names of the key manufacturers of stain repellent technologies and examples of key applications.
SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
THE MARKET FOR STAIN REPELLENT APPAREL
APPAREL STAINS
Ways in which fabrics become stained
Sources of stains
Treatment of apparel stains by users
STAIN PROTECTION
Test methods for stain protection
AATCC test method 22
AATCC test method 79
AATCC test method 118
AATCC test method 130
STAIN PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIES
Stain release
Stain repellency
Combination of stain release and stain repellency
Benefits of stain protection
Development of stain protection technology
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENTS USED TO ACHIEVE STAIN
PROTECTION
Water repellent treatments
Paraffin wax coatings
Microporous coatings
Durable water repellents
Water repellent and oil repellent treatments
Fluorocarbon finishes
NANOTECHNOLOGY-BASED STAIN PROTECTION
Examples of nanotechnology-based stain repellents
BigSky Technologies: GreenShield
Schoeller Technologies: NanoSphere
Nano-Tex: Resists Spills
Nano-Tex: Releases Stains
Nano-Tex: Resists Spills & Releases Stains
DuPont: Teflon
OTHER STAIN PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIES
Silver-based water and dirt repellent
Wool-based dirt repellent
Plasma technology
Titanium dioxide-based stain repellent
Reactive surface treatment
Water repellent and oil repellent surface treatment
APPLICATIONS OF STAIN REPELLENT APPAREL
OUTLOOK
INTRODUCTION
THE MARKET FOR STAIN REPELLENT APPAREL
APPAREL STAINS
Ways in which fabrics become stained
Sources of stains
Treatment of apparel stains by users
STAIN PROTECTION
Test methods for stain protection
AATCC test method 22
AATCC test method 79
AATCC test method 118
AATCC test method 130
STAIN PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIES
Stain release
Stain repellency
Combination of stain release and stain repellency
Benefits of stain protection
Development of stain protection technology
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENTS USED TO ACHIEVE STAIN
PROTECTION
Water repellent treatments
Paraffin wax coatings
Microporous coatings
Durable water repellents
Water repellent and oil repellent treatments
Fluorocarbon finishes
NANOTECHNOLOGY-BASED STAIN PROTECTION
Examples of nanotechnology-based stain repellents
BigSky Technologies: GreenShield
Schoeller Technologies: NanoSphere
Nano-Tex: Resists Spills
Nano-Tex: Releases Stains
Nano-Tex: Resists Spills & Releases Stains
DuPont: Teflon
OTHER STAIN PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIES
Silver-based water and dirt repellent
Wool-based dirt repellent
Plasma technology
Titanium dioxide-based stain repellent
Reactive surface treatment
Water repellent and oil repellent surface treatment
APPLICATIONS OF STAIN REPELLENT APPAREL
OUTLOOK
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Stain protection characteristics of different fibre types
Table 2: Surface free energy of solids and surface tension of liquids
Table 1: Stain protection characteristics of different fibre types
Table 2: Surface free energy of solids and surface tension of liquids
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Consumer awareness of the functional features of apparel, 2008
Figure 2: Water beading up on a fabric surface
Figure 3: Lotus leaf surface
Figure 4: NanoSphere
Figure 5: Untreated surface
Figure 1: Consumer awareness of the functional features of apparel, 2008
Figure 2: Water beading up on a fabric surface
Figure 3: Lotus leaf surface
Figure 4: NanoSphere
Figure 5: Untreated surface