Identifier

etd-11132008-125305

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Human Ecology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Antimicrobial textiles are a large research focus in the textile industry. There is an apparent need for creating reusable and durable antimicrobial textiles. Most of the textiles with antimicrobial properties effective against Staphylococcus aureus are disposable. To address the issue, two types of biopolymer solutions were created in a USDA lab. Both solutions displayed antimicrobial properties. A medium weight, plain weave cotton sheeting was used as the test fabric. Samples of the sheeting were cut, treated, and tested to determine their efficacy as antimicrobial textiles. The tests performed included tensile deformation, bending, shearing, compression, surface friction, surface roughness, and treatment durability. To compare the effect of the finish on the cotton sheeting, untreated samples were also tested. Results showed that the antimicrobial finishes negatively affected most of the fabric properties. Tensile, bending, and shearing were greatly affected by the treatments while compression and surface friction and roughness showed only slight impairments. The samples that were washed up 25 times could still retain certain microbial resistance. The samples washed by 50 times showed no antimicrobial properties. Overall, the treatments were not effective to be used as antimicrobial finishes on plain weave cotton fabrics.

Date

2008

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Chen, Jonathon Y.

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.932

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Human Ecology Commons

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