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| Treating Textiles & Polymers |
Why do we want to treat textiles?
Textiles can be very susceptible to bacterial and fungal attack. Microbes cause fabrics to rot and can cause stains and odors.
Treating with Ultra-Fresh* can extend the useful life of a textile. Ultra-Fresh* can also improve the comfort level of apparel, especially hosiery, underwear and performance sportswear, by controlling perspiration odors. Ultra-Fresh* protection is a value-added benefit that consumers expect from high performance, premium textiles.
Can Ultra-Fresh* be applied to all kinds of textile fabrics?
Ultra-Fresh* treatments have been successfully applied to many kinds of fabrics and fibres, including cotton, wool, viscose, rayon, nylon, acrylics, polypropylene, polyester and their blends.
Can Ultra-Fresh* be used with all types of polymers?
Ultra-Fresh* has been successfully used in products made from PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, rubbers, nylons, polyurethanes, epoxies, TPEs, etc.
As an industrial user, how do I buy Ultra-Fresh* ?
Ultra-Fresh* is sold directly to manufacturers by TRA and our network of exclusive distributors around the world. Please consult the distributor section of this web site for the distributor in your area.
Can I apply Ultra-Fresh* using my existing equipment?
Ultra-Fresh* treatments are designed for application using existing textile and polymer processing equipment. In most cases, no extra steps or processes are required. There should be little or no additional processing cost associated with the use of Ultra-Fresh* in an existing process.
Is there one Ultra-Fresh* treatment for all applications?
Ultra-Fresh* is a range of treatments, each especially developed for certain applications.
The particular treatment that is recommended depends on the customer’s requirements. For instance, some Ultra-Fresh* treatments are designed to control only bacteria while others have a wider spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Some are designed for textiles and others find their main use in polymers.
Please consult with TRA or your local distributor to determine which Ultra-Fresh* treatment is best for your application. How do I know that the Ultra-Fresh* treatment works?
Samples of all Ultra-Fresh* treated articles are tested in the TRA laboratories before being released onto the market. Internationally recognized test methods are used to confirm that the treatments are effective. Until the treated articles pass the appropriate tests, they cannot carry the Ultra-Fresh* trademark. The Ultra-Fresh* name on the package is the guarantee of antimicrobial performance.
How long will the Ultra-Fresh* treatment last?
Ultra-Fresh* is a range of different treatments. It is important to choose the correct one to match the durability requirements of the application. TRA or your local distributor can assist you in this selection process.
Choosing the correct Ultra-Fresh* treatment means that the antimicrobial properties should last for the useful life of the treated article.
How are textiles treated with Ultra-Fresh* ?
Ultra-Fresh* treatments may be applied by the usual padding (foulard) or exhaustion processes. Ultra-Fresh* treatments can also be applied by coating or foaming (especially in the carpet industry).
Under controlled conditions, some Ultra-Fresh* products may be applied by spray but this is generally the least desirable means to apply any antimicrobial treatment.
There are also Ultra-Fresh* products that can be introduced during the manufacturing process of polymeric fibres, such as those made from PP, nylon or polyester. The treated fibre can then be used to manufacture treated articles.
How much does it cost to treat goods with Ultra-Fresh* ?
The cost of applying Ultra-Fresh* will vary depending on the type of application and the Ultra-Fresh* product used. In addition, the cost would be affected by specific customer requirements for performance and durability.
It is not possible to give a general cost for the Ultra-Fresh* treatment. Only after discussing the customer’s requirements and recommending which Ultra-Fresh* treatment to use, TRA or your local distributor can determine the cost. Does Ultra-Fresh* give an odor to treated articles?
If used at the recommended use levels, Ultra-Fresh* products should not give odors to finished products.
In the unusual case where there is some residual odor, TRA or your local distributor can suggest process modifications or substitute products that will solve the problem.
Does Ultra-Fresh* affect the colors of textiles?
When the correct Ultra-Fresh* product is used at the recommended levels, there should be no effect on the color of textiles. For recommendations on the correct Ultra-Fresh* products to use, please contact TRA or your local distributor.
Will Ultra-Fresh* rub off textiles during use?
It is important to use the correct Ultra-Fresh* product for each application. If the correct product is used for an application where there is rubbing or abrasion, the Ultra-Fresh* treatment will be durable through multiple cycles of activity. The TRA laboratories can test samples of treated products that have been exposed to various conditions to demonstrate the durability of the Ultra-Fresh* treatment.
How accurate are the TRA test methods?
TRA uses standard microbiological test methods developed by international agencies and associations.
These methods have been proven to be reproducible through "round robin" testing at a number of different laboratories, as long as the laboratory conditions are kept constant.
The analytical techniques used in the TRA laboratories are very sensitive. The degree of accuracy is very high. The degree of accuracy is noted on all chemical analysis reports.
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Ultra-Fresh* is designed to give durable protection to treated articles. Ultra-Fresh* treatments are formulated to be applied in industrial plants in the manufacturing processes of consumer goods. The Ultra-Fresh* treatment is already built into the goods when they are marketed to consumers.