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Abstract:
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This research investigated the antibacterial efficacy and durability of 50/50
acrylic/cotton and 100% acrylic dyed hosiery fabrics containing three blend levels of
antibacterial acrylic fiber. The Amicor antibacterial.acrylic fiber, produced by Acordis
Acrylic Fibers, investigated in this study contains 2 % of the antibacterial agent
Triclosan. Blends of 16.67,25.00, and 33.33% Amicor antibacterial acrylic fiber were
examined to determine the effect different percentages of antibacterial acrylic fiber had
on the bactericidal activity of the fabrics examined in this study. Furthermore,
acrylic/cotton and acrylic fabrics containing antibacterial acrylic fiber were compared
to determine if fiber type influenced the bactericidal ability of the treated fabrics.
The results of this research show that all blend levels of Amicor antibacterial fiber
were equally effective in reducing bacterial counts to 50 laundry cycles. Both fabric
blends (50/50 acrylic/cotton and 100% acrylic), at all blend levels of antibacterial fiber
(16.67,25.00, and 33.33% Amicor) exhibited over 98% percent bacteria reduction
when tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. However, dyed
control fabrics, which did not contain antibacterial fiber, also exhibited excellent
bactericidal activity (over 94%) against S. aureus and K. pneumoniae when tested prior
to washing and at 5 wash cycles. Based on the high percent bacteria reduction for the
control fabrics, this study concluded that the dye is antibacterial against S. aureus and
K. pneumoniae. Furthermore, results show fiber type did not influence the bactericidal
ability of the fabrics examined in this study.
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