Membrane material based on acrylic emulsion and terry cloth for medical drapes

Abstract

AbstractWaterproof “breathable” membrane materials were obtained using acrylic emulsion for the polymer layer and cotton terry cloth for the textile layer. Excellent physical, mechanical, and hygienic properties of polymer‐textile materials obtained by spraying the emulsion on the wrong side of the terry cloth, allow them to be used for medical and prophylactic bed linen. The resulting materials absorb a large amount of water (350%–366%), at the same time do not let liquid water through (water resistance—395–470 mm ), but have sufficient air and vapor permeability. The water‐absorbing and membrane properties of the obtained materials are due to their nature (hydrophilicity of cellulose fibers, hydrophobicity of polymethylacrylate) and structure (terry weaving of a textile fabric, the presence of micropores). Scanning electron microscope studies of the surface and cross section showed the capillary‐porous structure of the polymer layer and the material as a whole. When spraying an acrylic emulsion, a continuous polymer film is not formed; a hydrophobic polymer layer is located on the surface of individual fibers of a textile fabric. Another important advantage of the obtained membrane materials is that their water absorption, water resistance, and “breathing” properties are preserved after repeated washings.