Textiles - Page 3

Zhejiang Textile New Material Technology, located in Zhuji, Zhejiang, China, is currently testing its new graphene-enhanced antibacterial socks. The Company explained that the socks are first manufactured in a traditional way, then treated with a graphene antibacterial multifunctional finishing agent.

The Company stated that rigorous tests are currently being performed to see if the required effects are achieved. The team explained that generally, most countries require that the antibacterial effect should reach more than 70%. Zhejiang Textile New Material Technology’s socks reportedly reach more than 90%.

Researchers from China's Xi’an Polytechnic University, Tsinghua University, Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS) and Shaanxi Textile Research Institute have found that breathable electrodes woven into fabric used in fire suits have proven to be stable at temperatures over 520ºC. At these temperatures, the fabric is found to be essentially non-combustible with high rates of thermal protection time at the maximum values recorded so far for such technology at 18.91 seconds.

The results show the efficacy and practicality of Janus graphene/poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole), or PBO, woven fabric in making firefighting “smarter”, with aims to manufacture products on an industrial scale that are flame-retardant but also intelligent enough to warn the firefighter of increased risks while facing flames.

FIOBOC, a casual fashion menswear brand, recently launched a graphene-enhanced activewear range. The collection includes sweatshirts and jackets in a range of naturally dyed colors. Using graphene in the fabric of FIOBOC's new collection allows it to keep warmth and comfort for wearers. The graphene fabric can reportedly insulate heat to reduce heat loss from the human body to ensure the wearer is kept warm.

FIOBOC stated that the "new collection is created with an athleisure style. While promoting comfort, the simple but stylish design makes it perfect for daily wear at work or home, working out at the gym, or going out motorcycling. Paired with a denim jacket or a snow jacket, it will be an ideal choice for camping or mountain climbing".

Directa Plus has signed an agreement with CIA Miguel Caballero SAS, a Columbia-based manufacturer of ballistic protection clothing. This is Directa Plus' first supply contract in Latin America, reportedly worth €1 million over four years.  

As part of the new contract, Directa will supply 77,500 linear meters of PTC printed material over four years following a four-month trial period. Directa will provide CIA Miguel’s subsidiary, MC Amor, with PTC printed linings for ballistic vests. This supposedly refers to the G+ Planar Thermal Circuit (PTC), a technology for a functional Graphene Plus print that can be applied to various types of fabrics.

Versarien recently entered a commercial agreement with BiaBrazil, a Brazilian sports and activewear manufacturer, for the integration of Versarien's Graphene-Wear technology into a new range of women and men's activewear garments. This agreement follows a 16-month phase of work between the two companies.

Versarien, in a statement, said it will make further announcements regarding launch dates for the line of products though noted that it expects they will be available for sale during Q1 2023 in the UK and worldwide.

Researchers from the UK's Imperial College London have developed graphene-based flexible clothing sensors that can detect body movement, with potential applications in injury rehabilitation, human-computer interaction systems, and athletic training. 

The researchers produced a new type of graphene-based TPU/textile composite sensor using small-scale manufacturing techniques such as laser cutting, film coating, and thermal transfer.    

Personal protection equipment maker, MCR Safety, recently introduced CT1071, a new Cut Level ‘E’ safety glove made with graphene fibers. It offers a choice of different coatings designed for different tasks and working environments. CT1071 has a 15-gauge shell specifically designed to take advantage of the ultra-lightweight nature of the new fibers. It’s a Cut Level ‘E’ glove yet it’s reportedly 25% lighter than similar gloves offering the level of protection. It is also designed to be comfortable and easy to wear.

As this fiber isn’t blended with any glass or steel, the high-level cut protection is maintained throughout the life of the glove. No fiber breakage means high durability, high comfort and no irritation. The diaphanous Nitrile Micro-Foam coating enables enhanced grip, even in oily conditions. 

This is a sponsored post by GrapheneUP

Population growth and improved living standards require solutions for textiles with new functions to meet changing needs. Wherever they are used, graphene-based smart textiles provide added value in terms of improved performance or comfort. GrapheneUP®, a leading graphene company with the largest production of few-layer graphene in Europe, has developed and introduced into the market new graphene-based products for textile industry: INKGUP® Fabric and PRINTGUP®.

INKGUP® Fabric is graphene-based coating formulation for textile industry produced with few-layer graphene GUP®, designed to provide superior finishing properties. This formulation has been certified antiviral (ISO 18184:2019) also for SARS-CoV-2, antistatic and with excellent abrasion resistance and thermal regulation properties.

Several properties of textiles are improved using the formulations developed with GrapheneUP®, in particular the thermal regulation, abrasion resistance, EMI shielding, UV protection, excellent electrical conductivity, antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Directa Plus has signed an extension to the commercial supply agreement with Alfredo Grassi to include Graphene Plus Thermal Planar Circuit for the workwear market in Italy and France.

The supply agreement will grant Grassi use of Directa's print textile technology for the workwear market in both countries for two years. The agreement is expected to give a significant boost to company's workwear income in 2022.

A couple of months ago WearGraphene sent us one of their Gamma graphene-enhanced jacket. We posted our review in early May, and today the company sent us a custom 10% discount coupon (GRAPHENE10) to share with our readers. You can find out more, and order the graphene jacket here.

The jacket uses graphene in two ways. Graphene is infused into the coat, with an aim to achieve thermo-regulation, and the jacket also includes graphene heating elements, in the pockets, and in the back. Read our full review here.