BRAND-NEW
Special Surface Treatments Industry Against COVID-19
The Fabric Becomes Metal with Kolzer Sputtering Machines © Kolzer
S
puttering is a revolutionary new treatment for fabrics, to make them more functional. The metallic coating on fabric with Sputtering is very thin, only 20nm, and is
obtained by bombarding the metal with a beam of particles or ions. The affected atoms recondense on the surface of the fabric and create a film of excellent quality, which does not involve any significant variation in weight or thickness compared to the beginning. The special coating with Sputtering, depending on the metal used, can create an antibacterial, antiviral, conductive, thermal insulation, flame retardant, water-repellent layer, can absorb and reflect infrared and UV rays, etc. Sputtering makes the fabric very resistant to humidity and ensures greater mechanical and chemical resistance, it is antistatic and therefore helps to reduce the deposit of dust and the texture is not blocked, allowing air to circulate. To face the health emergency of Coronavirus, Kolzer - a company from Cologno Monzese (Milan, Italy) specialized in the production of PVD machines – has made available expertise and machines for silver nanoparticles application on any substrate, including masks and other medical devices. Silver nanoparticles are in fact able to inhibit virus infection and prevent viral migration. The deposition of silver thin layer on materials dedicated for medical use is not new to Kolzer. In 2008, the company collaborated with the Niguarda hospital in Milan, carrying out several tests on gauze and textile that have returned
Its antibacterial properties depend on the silver ion
excellent results.
(Ag +) which is biologically active and is able to irreversibly
“We have already started coating the first fabric / non-
damage the key system of enzymes in the membrane of
woven masks currently in circulation, obtaining a mask with
pathogens.
an antibacterial, water-repellent, waterproof, ionizing and
A study of the Vaccinia virus showed that the 25 nm silver
thermoregulating device characteristics”, says D’Esposito. “We
thin layer inhibited its replication, preventing viral entrance.
therefore want to spread the message as much as possible:
The silver nanoparticles have in fact caused a reduction
we are available to the community, the competent authorities
from 4 to 5 log of the viral titre to non-toxic concentrations
and the companies interested in this type of treatments”.
for the cells. The virus was therefore able to absorb cells but could not enter into the cells with silver nanoparticles.
The antibacterial and antiviral properties of silver
Virus particles that had adsorbed into cells in the silver
Silver is notoriously used in medicine for its antibacterial and
the cells, indicating the lack of direct virucidal effect.
biocidal effect and for its non-toxicity for humans being.
For further information: www.kolzer.com
nanoparticles were infectious at the time of removal from
international PAINT&COATING magazine - MAY/JUNE 2020 - N. 63
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