Evaluating textiles treated with

Evaluation of textiles treated with repellent finishes... 

The agar difihision test is used to qualitatively assess the efficacy of textiles treated with diffijsible biocides. Samples are plamd in the centre of nutrient agar plates which have been inoculated widi the test bacteria. The samples are incubated at 37°C for 18-24 hours. The evaluation of this test is based on the level of growth both under and around the sanqrie. (Fig. 2) The zone of inhibition around the test material is measured and any growdi present underneath the sample is scored. 

Table I. Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of nonwoven textiles treated with the hydantoin grafting process...

There are a number of test methods that can be used to determine antimicrobial efficacy as well as biocompatibility of treated articles. Standards setting organizations such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and American Association of Textile Chemist and Colorist (AATCC) provide standard test methods that can be used to show antimicrobial efficacy of treated articles. There are also other efficacy test methods that fall outside the purview of these two organizations that are very effective. The ISO Technical Committee 194 has developed the ISO 10993 biocompatibility series which address the biological evaluation of medical devices including standards for those treated with antimicrobials. 

In the treatment of woven fabrics for dyeing, waterproofing, sizing, and other procedures, important criteria for evaluation are the speed and completeness of the wetting process. In the textile industry, wetting is taken to mean the submersion of the fabric in an aqueous treating solution, replacing all the air in the cloth structure with the solution. Obviously, if the treatment... 

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