When a fabric enters the consumer market, it undergoes a series of finishing processes to enhance its properties and appeal. Finishing is the final step in textile production and encompasses various treatments and processes that transform the fabric's characteristics. These processes are vital in achieving desirable features such as wrinkle resistance, smooth texture, stiffness, improved drape, and water repellency.

Finishing processes are broadly categorized into aesthetic and functional finishes. Aesthetic finishes focus on altering the fabric's appearance and texture, while functional finishes enhance its performance under specific conditions. Textile professionals classify finishes into chemical (wet) and mechanical (dry) finishes. The degree of permanence further classifies finishes into permanent, durable, semi-durable, and temporary.

The textile industry continually seeks fresh and innovative finishing methods to meet market demands. Novel finishing techniques can significantly impact the fabric's value and versatility. Companies are exploring innovative approaches to maximize the potential of textiles.

One such advancement is nanotechnology in finishing, which adds significant value to the process. Nanotechnology involves technologies and processes at the nanometer scale, offering various applications and implications in textiles. Nanotechnology enables the engineering of textile attributes like softness, durability, breathability, water repellency, fire resistance, and antimicrobial properties in fibers, yarns, and fabrics.

The applications of nanotechnology in textiles are diverse, and it can provide protective coatings that are nearly invisible to the naked eye. Nano-finished garments have advantages such as stain and dirt resistance, reduced laundering costs, and enhanced durability. Antimicrobial finishes, in particular, are gaining popularity to combat microbial growth and odor development caused by pathogens on textiles worn next to the skin.

To harness the full benefits of antimicrobial finishing, several requirements must be met. The finish should maintain durability through washing, dry cleaning, and hot pressing. It should not have adverse effects on manufacturers, users, or the environment, and it must comply with regulatory standards. Additionally, resistance to body fluids and disinfection or sterilization is essential to ensure effective antimicrobial properties.

There are several methods to apply the antimicrobial agents to the textile substrates. It can be done by exhaust, pad-dry-cure, coating, spray and foam techniques. The substances can also be applied by directly adding into the fibre spinning dope. It is claimed that the commercial agents can be applied online during the dyeing and finishing operations. In order to improve the durability of the finish it is recommended that the fibre is treated with resin, condensates or cross-linking agents and insolubilisation of the active substances in or on the fibre is required.


Another popular finish is UV protective finish. A garment must protect the wearer from the weather. However it is also to protect the wearer from harmful rays of the sun. The UV-blocking property of a fabric is improved when a dye, pigment, delustrant, or ultraviolet absorber finish is present that absorbs ultraviolet radiation and blocks its transmission through a fabric to the skin. Metal oxides like ZnO as UV-blocker are more stable when compared to organic UV-blocking agents. Hence, nano ZnO will really enhance the UV-blocking property due to their increase surface area and intense absorption in the UV region. For antibacterial finishing, ZnO nanoparticles scores over nano-silver in cost-effectiveness, whiteness, and UV-blocking property.


These days, the manufacturers also prefer odour fighting finishes. A natural substance tourmaline is used in such finishes. The tourmaline comes in contact with oxygen, carbon dioxide and water molecules that allow an electrolytic dissociation which in turn create negative ions. The negative ions are responsible for creating a magnetic field that fights back the bacteria so the fabric stays odour free. Also there we see another occurrence of infra red consumption that destroys bacteria to make the fabric odour free.


There is another finishing technology - micro encapsulation, which imparts an array of unique characteristics to a garment. Particles filled with active ingredients are applied to the fabric for long lasting effects. Micro encapsulated particles are anchored onto the fibre. With the movements of the wearer, the capsules are activated producing a slow release of the active ingredient. These ingredients include moisturizers, aloe, vitamin E, therapeutic smells and insect repellent. Micro encapsulation technology is also being used to create garments with built-in temperature control systems. Micro encapsulation technology can also be used to cover up odours with fragrances.


The stain resistant finishes are also being used now on a regular basis. It is no longer considered a niche market. Antistatic finishes are also applied to the fabric by chemical means these days. They check the formation of static electricity that can occur due to friction between electrically-insulating fibres. Static electricity can cause serious problems in the aerospace and geotextiles market sectors, where it can cause sparks, possibly leading to fires. Antistatic finishes increase the conductivity of fibres, thus preventing the build-up of static charge.


Today apart from the look and feel, the durability and performance of the fabric are also significant in raising its demand. Textile finishing methods can impart unique traits to the fabric and this can work wonders for the textile industry and also the consumers.


References:


1. Mytextilenotes.blogspot.in

2. Textilelearner.blogspot.in

3. Techexchange.com