Emilia Irzmańska,

Agnieszka Brochocka,
Textile Composite Materials
Katarzyna Majchrzycka with Bioactive Melt-Blown Nonwovens
for Protective Footwear
Central Institute for Labour Protection Abstract
– National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB), This paper presents the results of a study into textile composite materials designed to be
ul. Wierzbowa 48, 90-133 Łódź, Poland used for the manufacture of insoles for permeation-resistant protective footwear (all-rub-
E-mail: [email protected] ber). Due to the special conditions in which the insoles are to be used, it was assumed that
they should have heightened hygienic and bioactive properties with respect to bacteria and
fungi, and they should also be resistant to mechanical stress. Several variants of melt-blown
nonwovens were engineered on the basis of polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), and
polyamide (PA) to be used in composite materials. Also a method was developed for ultra-
sound bonding of composite layers. A series of laboratory experiments showed bioactive
composite materials based on PC melt-blown nonwovens to have optimum properties from
the point of view of the application of insoles in rubber footwear. The composites are char-
acterised by very good mechanical properties (resistance to abrasion, tearing and bond
strength), hygienic properties (pH of aqueous extracts, water vapour permeability, water
vapour coefficient, water absorption and desorption, thermal resistance), and microbiologi-
cal properties (tests for the following bacteria: Escherichia coli and Streptococcus aureus
and fungi: Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes).

Key words: textile composites, bioactive insoles, melt-blown nonwovens, polycarbonate.

terials for bioactive insoles to be used in confirmed by the subjective impressions

penetration-resistant protective footwear. of the users, as shown in a study carried
out at the CIOP-PIB [10]. On the other
Protective footwear is intended to protect hand, it should be stressed that this mate-
n Introduction workers against hazards occurring at the rial has good thermal insulating proper-
workplace, such as mechanical injuries to ties when dry, which is important from
In order to ensure comfort to the users
the feet, burns, or the absorption of chem- the point of view of protection against
of footwear worn in a work environ-
icals through the skin [3, 4]. Furthermore sources of heat. High temperatures and
ment and in everyday settings, design-
protective footwear should not affect excessive humidity in rubber footwear
ers and manufacturers offer specially
foot physiology, but actively participate lead to the decomposition of organic sub-
shaped insoles made of various textile
in processes related to the thermoregu- stances contained in sweat, which in turn
composites. Their crucial functional fea-
lation of the body, that is, facilitate heat enhances the growth of pathological bac-
tures include appropriate mechanical and
and moisture transport to the environ- teria and fungi. The hygienic properties
hygienic properties. At the same time,
ment [5]. The footwear microclimate is of materials used inside footwear may
large-scale epidemiological studies con-
characterised by properties of the air be modelled by using products charac-
ducted in the European Union [1, 2] have
surrounding the foot in the footwear, that terised by high permeability and absorp-
shown that it is also necessary to impart
good bioactive properties to insoles to is, its temperature and relative humidity. tion of water vapour while also having
prevent the development of microorgan- Optimum conditions for the foot are a heightened microbiological resistance.
isms that grow inside footwear. A study temperature not higher than 28 – 34 °C The development of microorganisms is
carried out under the project Achilles [1] and a relative humidity within the range directly influenced by the microclimate
has revealed that tinea pedis is the most of 60 – 65% [6]. The amount of sweat of the space enclosed inside the footwear,
widespread condition affecting the Polish perspired in the footwear changes de- that is, by the humidity and temperature.
population. In certain occupations (fire pending on the temperature of the envi- The relative humidity inside footwear,
fighters, miners, steelworkers, sports- ronment, the intensity of the work per- reaching levels of 96 – 100%, is the ba-
men, soldiers) the incidence may be as formed, the individual characteristics sic factor enhancing the growth of bac-
high as 70% of the persons examined. of the person, as well as on the type of teria decomposing sweat [11]. Analysing
The study has continued for different oc- materials used in the footwear and de- the microbiological contamination of
cupational populations within the project sign thereof. According to literature data, footwear, one should always take note
Hermes [1]. So far 2,000 persons have the average human foot produces 2.5 – of the presence of pathological bacteria
been examined in Poland, out of whom 3.0 g of sweat per hour [7, 8]. The great- and fungi. Colonisation of the interior
over 50% have been affected by some est problems are encountered with rub- of footwear by yeast-like fungi and der-
pathological changes to the skin of their ber footwear. Insoles currently used are matophytes is a separate microbiological
feet. People over 40 wearing protective hygroscopic and retain large amounts of problem related to fungal infections of
footwear at work have symptoms of ad- moisture, which diminishes their hygien- the feet [12 – 18]. From the point of view
vanced mycosis. The conclusions of the ic properties [9]. After an 8 h work shift, of footwear hygiene, of substantial im-
study point to the need for the prevention moist insoles constitute perfect condi- portance are also parasitic mould fungi,
of fungal diseases, with a particular fo- tions for the growth of microorganisms. which usually grow in moist interdigital
cus on research aimed at the development This fact compromises the thermal insu- spaces. The development of these fungi
and manufacture of new composite ma- lating and hygienic properties, which is is similar to that of bacteria – it is stimu-

Irzmańska E, Brochocka A, Majchrzycka K. Textile Composite Materials with Bioactive Melt-Blown Nonwovens for Protective Footwear. 119
FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2012; 20, 6A(95): 119-125.
 lated by increased perspiration, primarily The objective of the study presented was
due to wearing unhygienic footwear that to design new bioactive composites with
A)
is impermeable to air and water vapour. B) heightened mechanical resistance, allow-
ing for moisture transport and inhibiting
Right parameters of the microclimate the growth of microorganisms in chemi-
inside footwear may be achieved by cal-resistant protective footwear.
C)
modelling the design of composites for D)
insoles. Research and design work con-
ducted to date mostly concerns the mod- E) n Experimental
elling of composites for everyday foot-
Structure and characterisation of
wear. Falkiewicz-Dulik and Przyjemska
materials
designed two-layer composite insoles Figure 1. Schematic of the layers of the
based on softened PVC adhesively bond- composite for protective footwear insoles; The study concerned the modelling of
A - hydrophobic layer of two-layer woven three-layer composites with a view to
ed to other materials, especially those fabric, B - hydrophilic layer of two-layer
based on natural components [19]. In woven fabric, C - two-layer woven fabric, meeting the following criteria:
every case, the lining material was per- D - biocidal nonwoven, E - stiffening non- n Top layer – conductive-diffusive, re-
forated PVC foam adhesively bonded to woven. maining in contact with the user’s
pig leather liner, PA spun bonded non- foot;
woven (CAMBRELLE), cotton woven protective footwear and its comfortable n Middle layer – biocidal, consisting
fabric, and velour knitted fabric or non- use. Dean [23] patented insoles using re- of fibres containing a bioactive com-
perforated PVC foam adhesively bonded silient material placed under the heel and ponent, ensuring protection against
to the Cambrelle nonwoven or velour toes. This resulted in greater comfort for bacteria and fungi and improving the
knitted fabric. These materials ensured the user as compared to shock-absorbing hygienic properties;
unfavorable conditions for the growth of foams applied in other products. In their n Bottom layer – external, stiffening.
bacteria and fungi. A comparative study work Basford and Smith [24] discussed
was conducted involving other materials the subjective feelings of users of pro- A schematic of the layers of the com-
used in the manufacture of insoles. How- tective footwear equipped with viscoe- posite designed for protective footwear
ever, these materials did not reveal good lastic polyurethane insoles. Most of the insoles is shown in Figure 1.
hygienic properties, even in spite of their respondents interviewed found footwear
natural components, which was due to with such insoles to be more comforta- The system designed is a spatial structure
the chemical structure of PVC foam and with layers of the following characteris-
ble. Barton [25] compared the functional
the adhesive bonding. Another study by tics:
properties of different footwear insoles
Falkiewicz-Dulik [20] shows the influ- n Top layer: two variants of two-layer
using neural network analysis. The results
ence of the adhesive applied in insoles woven fabric – polyester/lyocell and
on the two-layer systems examined. The reported were similar to those obtained
using standard questionnaire surveys. polypropylene/lyocell woven with an
following systems were examined: an ex- elementary warp satin weave 4/1(3).
ternal cotton layer and a polypropylene Textile materials currently in use are pro-
duced – in the case of nonwovens – us- In the fabric designed, one side is
woven liner bonded with the following dominated by warp overlap consisting
adhesives: perforated adhesive film, sol- ing a classic stitching method [19, 20].
of hydrophobic (polypropylene or pol-
vent-based PU adhesive, or PU disper- Melt-blown nonwovens are used in mod-
yester) fibres, while the other by weft
sion adhesive. While the woven fabrics elling the structure of composites for
overlap consisting of hydrophilic fi-
tested in the study cited showed unsat- protective footwear insoles as the tech-
bres (lyocell cellulose fibres) [26, 27];
isfactory antimicrobial effects, the com- nology of their manufacture is in wide-
posites had the right mechanical and hy- spread use, as well as being economical
Middle layer: bioactive nonwoven pro-
gienic parameters. A paper by Gulbiniene and fast compared with traditional meth- duced using melt-blown technology
[21] presents the results of a study on the ods [28 - 30]. However, this method is from three kinds of commercially avail-
water vapour transfer properties of foot- typically used with polypropylene, which able polymers – MOPLEN HP 456 J
wear liners incorporating a membrane. is, unfortunately, inadequate in terms of
The material studied was a multilayer polypropylene (manufactured by Lyon-
its hygienic properties [31]. Therefore dellBasell, Germany); LEXAN Resin
insole consisting of two textile layers (a we undertook technological experiments
polyester knitted fabric and a cotton non- polycarbonate (manufactured by General
to produce melt-blown nonwovens using Electric Plastics, USA), and AQUAMID
woven) and a polyurethane layer, whose
polymers with better hygroscopic prop- 6 polyamide (manufactured by Aquafil
presence reduced the rate of water va-
erties. Due to the fact that the authors Engineering Plastics, Italy), containing
pour desorption and delayed the time of
previously experimented with introduc- a biocidal substance in the form of com-
footwear drying. In his patented insoles,
Connor [22] used natural materials de- ing a bioactive agent into the stream of mercially available magnesium monop-
rived from Luffa cylindrica, a plant with polymers that create solid melt-blown erphthalate (manufactured by IMPULS,
sponge-like fruits, positioned in such a nonwoven, these experiments have been Poland). A biocidal substance was added
way as to ensure direct contact with the used in this research work. The novelty at the stage of fibre formation in a quan-
user’s feet in order to provide massage of this article lies in applying melt-blown tity of 20% per nonwoven mass, as de-
as well as enhance natural exfoliation, nonwoven with bioactive properties so scribed in previous works [28 – 30]. The
blood flow and ventilation. Few publica- as to ensure anti-microbial properties for bioactive agent applied was certified by
tions have been devoted to specialised the insoles. the Ministry of Health for commercial

120 FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2012, Vol. 20, No. 6A (95)
use as a biocidal product (certificate No. Table 1. Characteristic of polymers used in the melt-blown process.
2623/05).
Density Melt index MLI,
Type of polymer Symbol Trade name, supplier
g/cm3 g/10 min
n Bottom layer: a nonwoven consist- Polypropylene MOPLEN HP
PP Lyondell Basell - 3.4 g/10 min
ing of polypropylene fibres of an area 456 J
weight of 500 g/m2 (manufactured by Polyamide AQUAMID 6 PA
Aquafil Engineering Plastics
S.P.A. 1.13 - 1.14 -
Filtex S.A., Poland) – a nonwoven
Polycarbonate LEXAN Resins PC General Electric Company 1.2 -
used as a substitute for gasket felt,
characterised by ease of forming into
concave-convex shapes. Table 2. Technological parameters of melt-blown production.

For the purposes of the study, techno- Technological parameters PP PA PC

Temperature of the 1st extruder zone Te1 °C 280 290 300
logical conditions were developed for the
Temperature of the 2nd extruder zone Te2, °C 270 280 295
production of melt-blown fibres using
Air temperature Ta, ºC 280 300 300
three thermoplastic polymers: PP, PC,
Nozzles die assembly temperature Td ,ºC 250 280 290
and PA. The polymers are characterised Air flow, m3/h 10 10 10
in Table 1. Polymer flow, g/min 55 70 70
Reception length, mm 300 300 300
Processing procedure
The technological work was done at the
Table 3. Characteristics of melt-blown nonwovens used in the composites.
CIOP-PIB Poland experimental unit. The
production of melt-blown nonwovens Type of biocidal Average area weight, Average fiber fineness, Average nonwoven
consisted of blowing the polymer melt nonwoven g/m2 nm fineness, mm
into elementary fibres of different fine- Polyamide nonwoven 430 3.2 3.9
ness and length. Polymer in the form of
Polypropylene
granules was transferred from the load- nonwoven
371 8.4 3.5
ing hopper to the heated cylinder of the Polycarbonate
314 3.0 3.7
extruder. The polymer was brought to nonwoven
appropriate viscosity prior to extrusion
from the die assembly. Compressed air Table 4. Variants of bioactive composites produced for protective footwear insoles
was transferred from the regulator to the
heat exchanger, in which it was dried Variant
Structure of bioactive composites for protective footwear insoles
and heated to the appropriate tempera- Bottom layer Middle layer Top layer
ture. Subsequently air was directed to I Polypropylene nonwoven with lyocell fabric/polyester
II a biocidal agent lyocell fabric/polypropylene
the nozzle assembly, and as the air exited
III Stiffening polypropylene Polycarbonate nonwoven with lyocell fabric/polyester
the nozzle assembly, it blew the polymer
IV nonwoven a biocidal agent lyocell fabric/polypropylene
streams to form elementary fibres. The fi-
V Polyamide nonwoven with a lyocell fabric/polyester
bres were then deposited on the collector, biocidal agent
VI lyocell fabric/polypropylene
forming a compact, porous nonwoven
web. The nonwoven production unit has
a number of control points for adjusting bioactive agent in the form of commer- the welding process, including the fre-
technological parameters, which enable cially available magnesium monoperph- quency, welding time, and pressure after
the modelling of the structure of nonwo- thalate was added at the stage of polymer each welding cycle, which enabled the
vens, and in particular the production of fibre formation. The bioactive nonwoven experimenters to arrive at the optimum
fibres of various fineness. Depending on variants produced are presented in Table 3. settings during the welding of one sam-
the nozzle temperature (Td) and tempera- ple. This was particularly important in
tures of the 1st and 2nd zones of the ex- The next stage in the formation of com- welding composites consisting of layers
truder (Te1, Te2), the viscosity of the poly- posites for use in protective footwear was of nonwovens and fabrics made from
mer melt may be altered, which is critical the development of a technology for join- different materials. During the welding
for its fibre-forming properties. This can ing the layers. The ultrasonic bonding process, the constant parameters were
be adjusted by the air temperature (Ta) method was applied – electrical energy the pressure (controlled by the air pres-
and right proportions between the poly- supplied to the generator was converted sure in the actuator) and vibration fre-
mer flow (Fp) and air flow (Fp) [28 - 30]. into high frequency impulses supplied quency of the sonotrode (adjustable by
In adjusting the process of forming non- to the transducer, which converted them setting the vibration generator). The vari-
wovens for composite insoles, all the tech- to ultrasounds. The welding was made able parameter, dependent on the type of
nological parameters given in Table 2. with a universal vertical welder with the materials welded, was the time of weld-
working motion as in a pneumatic press. ing. The composites were welded using
In order to impart bioactive properties to This kind of welder makes it possible to the following, optimised parameters: fre-
the nonwovens used in the composites, use simple accessories, such as welding quency – 45 MHz, pressing force – 0.5
it was necessary to introduce a biocidal sonotrodes, which were modified to ob- MPa, welding time – 7 s for polypropyl-
agent at the stage of forming fibres from tain the optimum process parameters. It ene fibres, 10 s for polyamide fibres, and
the polymers characterised in Table 1. A was possible to adjust the parameters of 12 s for polycarbonate fibres. The bond-

FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2012, Vol. 20, No. 6A (95) 121
 Table 5. Average values of laboratory parameters typically determined for protective footwear in the process of type assessment for CE
marking as determined for the designed variants of bioactive composites used in protective footwear insoles. A number of the tested
samples five of each variation; *) Procedure of determining desorption remained in accordance with standard PN-EN ISO 20345:2007
(dynamic method of determining: desorption for insoles and under-soles). It is described in the standard with an appropriate equation
including: introductory mass of the sample (after its removal from the device), sample mass after the test (after being climatised again).
From the authors’ observations, values of samples in the dynamic method are frequently higher than 100% due to materials that are less
solid due to extracting pollutants, chemical compounds, fibres, etc. during the test.

Mechanical Parameters Hygienic Parameters

Param-

Longitudinal/ pH of Permeability Water Water

eter

Water
Thickness transverse tearing Resistance to abrasion aqueous to water vapor desorption,
absorption
resistance extracts vapor coefficient %
Standard

PN-EN ISO
PN-EN ISO 20345:2007 PN-EN ISO 20345:2007
5084:1999

Thickness of Tear force minimum minimum

Require-

Number of cycles before minimum

ments

commercially 15 N for an insole minimum 2.0 minimum 80% *)

damage is done to the pH > 3.2 20.0
manufactured made of coated and mg/(cm2 h) 70 mg/cm2 absorbed
surface of the insole: mg/cm2
insoles, 3 - 7 mm textile material water
I 5.54 192 / 202 4.5 11.8 95.2 230 108
II 5.54 172 / 202 4.3 11.7 94.4 215 106
III 5.95 215 / 218 dry rubbing: 25.600; 4.2 12.8 103.2 207 105
IV 6.08 163 / 205 wet rubbing: 12.800 4.3 12.5 100.9 223 107
V 6.49 232 / 208 4.3 11.3 92.1 220 106
VI 6.71 199 / 193 4.4 10.9 89.6 241 106

ing points formed during the welding of and Candida albicans according to All variants of bioactive composites were
a diameter of 5 mm were spaced on the Standards PN-EN ISO 20645:2006 tested for the resistance of insole layers
surface of the composite 40 mm apart. and PN-EN 14119:2005 as well as to bond strength, heat resistance, and
The method applied made it possible to microbiological properties. The results
for Aspergillus fumigatus and Tricho-
join materials having different melting are presented in Figures 2 - 5.
points while preserving their initial phys- phyton mentagrophytes according to
ical properties, that is, the thickness and Standard PN-EN 14119:2005. The composites designed are charac-
drapeability. terised by good mechanical and hy-
gienic parameters within the standard
Six variants of bioactive composites for n Results and discussion tests’ range and exhibit protective effects
protective footwear insoles were pro- against selected bacteria and fungi colo-
Average values of laboratory parameters
duced – their description is given in Ta- nising footwear.
typically determined for protective foot-
ble 4.
wear in the process of type assessment
Taking into consideration the results of
Testing methods for CE marking, as determined for the
standard tests, it should be stressed that
All the variants of composite insoles designed variants of bioactive compos- all of the composites are characterized by
were subjected to the following labora- ites used in protective footwear insoles, favorable mechanical parameters impor-
tory tests, which included research ac- are presented in Table 5. tant from the point of view of using the
cording to the standards for protective
footwear in the CE evaluation process
and additional ones, including new prop-
erties of the insoles designed:
n Mechanical: thickness according to
Standard PN-EN ISO 5084:1999,
tear strength and abrasion resistance
according to Standard PN-EN ISO
20345:2007, and the delamination re-
sistance of layers according to Stand-
ard PN-EN 1392:2007;
n Hygienic: pH of aqueous extracts,
water vapour permeability, water ab-
sorption and desorption, and water va-
pour coefficient according to Standard
PN-EN ISO 20345:2007, and thermal
resistance according to Standard PN-
EN 31092:1998;
n Microbiological: microbiological
Figure 2. Average values of delamination resistance for layers of different variants of bio-
tests were conducted for Staphylo- active composites used in protective footwear insoles; *) required value in Standard PN-EN
coccus aureus, Escherichia Coli, 1392:2007.

122 FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2012, Vol. 20, No. 6A (95)
insoles in footwear. They are of simi-
lar thickness to commercially available
composite insoles, and thus can be eas-
ily manufactured as marketable products.
They are highly resistant to abrasion,
meeting the requirements of Standard
ISO 20345:2007 both for dry and wet
rubbing. The composites also reveal
substantial resistance to tearing, which
confirms that they provide good mate-
rial for protective footwear intended for
intensive use. All the composites meet
the requirements stipulated in Standard
PN-EN ISO 20345:2007, concerning the
levels of substances hazardous to health,
with the pH of aqueous extracts at 4.2 to Figure 3. Average values of heat resistance for different variants of bioactive composites
used in protective footwear insoles; *) range of value in Standard PN-EN 31092:1998 for
4.5. The composites exhibit high water materials with heating properties.
vapour permeability, which is favorable
from the point of view of using the in-
soles in footwear (effective transport of
perspiration in the form of water vapor).
Furthermore very good results were ob-
tained in respect of the water vapor co-
efficient – the values were several times
higher than the requirements of Stand-
ard PN-EN ISO 20345:2007. In terms
of water absorption – from the perspec-
tive of using the insoles in footwear – it
is preferable for this parameter to be as
high as possible as a function of storing
humidity, and the composites studied
exhibit values higher than those defined
in PN-EN ISO 20345:2007. In terms of
Figure 4. Protective effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Can-
water desorption, it is important for the dida albicans for different variants of bioactive composites used in protective footwear
composite not to retain water in its struc- insoles; *) range required in accordance with the Standard PN-EN 20645:2006, PN-EN
ture (perspiration in liquid form) and to 14119:2005.
dry quickly by effective water transport
towards the footwear. It is comparable
for all the variations tested and is higher
than the one required in the standard.

As can be seen from the results of the

standard tests, the composite with the best
properties is that containing a PC nonwo-
ven with a bioactive agent with a layer of
LY/PET fabric. This system has the best
mechanical and hygienic properties out
of those tested in this study, which is due
to the fact that PC fibres have better sorp-
tive and mechanical properties than PP or
PA fibres [31]. The composites contain-
ing PA and PP nonwovens with a bioac- Figure 5. Protective effects against Aspergillus fumigatus and Trichophyton mentagro-
tive agent were shown to exhibit substan- phytes for different variants of bioactive composites used in protective footwear insoles;
*) range required in accordance with the Standard PN-EN 20645:2006, PN-EN 14119:2005.
tially inferior levels in these respects.
microorganisms developing inside foot- bonding of the layers and suggests that
Additional tests (apart from those based
wear. the layers of composite material will not
on the standards) were aimed at the as-
sessment of the insulation properties of delaminate, which enhances the comfort
the composites, their resistance to the Resistance to the bond strength of usage of insoles in footwear and their
delamination of the layers joined by ul- of layers durability. The highest values – impor-
trasound, and the influence of the pres- The composites studied exhibited high tant from the point of view of lasting use
ence of a nonwoven with a bioactive resistance to bond strength. This con- of insoles in footwear – were obtained
agent on the inhibition of the growth of firms the effectiveness of ultrasound for the variant containing a stiffening PP

FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2012, Vol. 20, No. 6A (95) 123
 nonwoven, a PC nonwoven with a bioac- fumigatus and Trichophyton menta- wear, in contrast to the wool felt insoles
tive agent and a LY/PET fabric (variant grophytes. It was found that all of the currently used with protective footwear.
III), and the lowest values were shown systems designed exhibited very good To ensure good mechanical properties,
by that containing a stiffening PP non- antifungal effects against Trichophyton directly enhancing the durability of the
woven, a PA nonwoven with a bioactive mentagrophytes – they were graded level insoles, a method of ultrasonic bonding
agent, and a LY/PP fabric (variant VI). 0, which means that fungus was not de- of composite layers was developed. The
tected by microscopic examination under method also makes it possible to pre-
Heat resistance a 50× magnification. serve the separation distance between
The composites designed have good the structural layers of the composite,
isolation properties, classifying them as No growth inhibition zone was found on thus improving the hygienic properties
heat protection products, which is im- samples of systems consisting of stiffen- while keeping the optimum mechanical
portant for the protection of the lower ing PP nonwoven, PC nonwoven with a parameters. This method may be used as
limbs of fire fighters exposed to heat. bioactive agent and LY/PET fabric (vari- an alternative for adhesive bonding or to
Higher levels of heat resistance are re- ant III), and stiffening PP nonwoven, PA joining the layers of insoles by means of
vealed by variants made of stiffening PP nonwoven with a bioactive agent and LY/ continuous adhesive films impermeable
nonwoven, PC nonwoven with a bioac- PP fabric (variant VI) – the fungus con- to water vapour or air.
tive agent, and containing LY/PP fabric tinued to grow starting from the colonies
(variant IV) or LY/PET fabric (variant developed at the edges of the plate. The Among the variants of bioactive compos-
III), PA nonwoven with a bioactive agent, best effects against Aspergillus fumigatus ite insoles designed and tested, the best
and LY/PE fabric (variant V). The lowest were identified for the system contain- properties (especially in terms of good
values were obtained for the composite ing stiffening PP nonwoven, PC non- sorptive and resistance characteristics)
consisting of stiffening PP nonwoven, woven with a bioactive agent and LY/ were exhibited by composites containing
PP nonwoven with a bioactive agent, and PP fabric (variant IV). Better antifungal a bioactive melt-blown PC nonwoven.
LY/PET fabric (variant I). It should be activity was found against Trichophyton
stressed that PC nonwovens have very mentagrophytes – the growth inhibition
good insulation properties, which trans- zone around the samples covered the Acknowledgments
lates into higher levels of heat resistance entire plate, while for Candida albicans n The publication draws on results obtained
of the whole composite. PA and PP non- the inhibition zones around the samples as part of the research task implemented
wovens have lower thermal insulation were smaller than those for Trichophyton under the statutory activity of CIOP-PIB
properties, which leads to lower values mentagrophytes. The designed bioactive (2010–2012) and research grant No. N
of the property studied. systems consisting of stiffening PP non- N404 068240 (contract number 0682/B/
P01/2011/40), financed by the National
woven, PC nonwoven with a bioactive
Bioactive properties agent and LY/PET fabric (variant III),
Science Centre in the years 2011–2013
All of the composite systems exhibited a at CIOP-PIB.
and those containing stiffening PP non- The Authors wish to thank Mrs. Michalina
high level of biological activity accord- n
woven, PA nonwoven with a bioactive Falkiewicz-Dulik of the Leather Industry
ing to Standards PN-EN ISO 20645:2006
agent and LY/PP fabric (variant VI) ex- Institute,in the Cracow branch, for assi-
and PN-EN 14119:2005, the only differ-
hibit a weaker effect against Aspergillus stance in conducting the microbiological
ence being the size of inhibition zones
fumigatus, but it is still defined by the rel- studies presented in this paper.
for particular microorganisms. The best
evant standard as the absence of visible
results in terms of antibacterial effects
growth under microscopic examination.
against Staphylococcus aureus were ob- References
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