Abstract
The objective of this work was to determine the influence of washing and sterilization under real hospital conditions on properties of microbial barrier offered by polyurethane coated fabrics used in surgery and for wrapping sterile items. Emphasis was put on the change of surface polyurethane coating by using FTIR analysis. The permeability and durability of the microbial barrier were determined after 0, 10, and 20 washing and sterilization procedures according to previously developed methods. Bacterial endospores of the apathogenic species of the genus Bacillus Geobacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus atrophaeus were used. Mechanical damage to medical textiles in the washing and sterilization process was determined according to standard HRN EN ISO 13914-1:2008 and associated with changes in physical and mechanical properties. Chemical changes of PU coatings were determined using FTIR analysis. The results showed an exceptionally efficient microbial barrier and its durability in all samples after 0, 10 and 20 washing and sterilization procedures and for a period of one, two and three months.
Highlights
Coated fabrics are defined as technically flexible composite materials coated with a polymer coating on one or both sides
The properties of coated fabrics are a combination of the properties of the base fabric and the polymer coating applied to the fabric
The results show a change in the PU coating after the washing and sterilization procedures because of a visible increase in the number of microorganisms retained on the polyurethane coating
Summary
Coated fabrics are defined as technically flexible composite materials coated with a polymer coating on one or both sides. The substrate, to which a polymer coating is applied, can be woven fabric, knitted fabric or nonwovens. Coating polymers are applied onto the surface substrate as viscous solutions or dispersions. After applying the polymer coating, the liquid phase is removed by heat and a continuous polymer coating is formed on the fabric surface. The properties of coated fabrics are a combination of the properties of the base fabric and the polymer coating applied to the fabric. It is necessary to carefully consider the selection of the base fabric and polymer coating. The substrate or the base fabric gives the mechanical strength of the composite material and supports the coating applied onto it.
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