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RST to functionalize high value temperature sensitive fibers

30 Aug '12

3 min read

Alexium International Group Limited announced that it has successfully demonstrated its Reactive Surface Technology (RST) treatments for functionalizing temperature-sensitive fibers such as high-performance polyolefins to add new properties such as antimicrobial, adhesion promotion, and flame retardance.

European consumption of polyolefin textiles alone was nearly 2.5 million tons in 2006, with continued annual market growth. The largest end-use markets were technical textiles (950,000 tons) and carpets (635,000 tons). The polyolefin textile market in Europe alone is estimated to be at least $2.5 billion.

High-performance polyolefin fibers have garnered great industry interest due to their high resistance to chemicals, low moisture absorption, excellent abrasion resistance, and high impact strength. These fibers are gaining market share in a number of industries, including high end industrial, medical, and consumer product applications such as sporting goods, ballistic protection, and climbing ropes.

Until now, functionalizing the inert surface of polyolefin materials has been a key technical barrier for many potential applications. For example, poor adhesion between the fiber and resin in composite structures is a common failure mode and cause for premature mechanical failures. To functionalize these fibers, economically viable treatments often damage the properties of the fiber itself due to thermal or chemical degradation.

Alexium has successfully demonstrated its RST process for durable, functional treatments to polyolefin fibers. RST employs “cold” microwave technology to coat fibers via a “shrink wrap” effect of the coating around the fiber. Alexium is initiating several commercial demonstration pilots to apply antimicrobials, adhesion promoters, and flame retardants to polyolefin fibers.

“Polyolefin fibers, while advantageous in many high-end technical applications, melt and decompose at such low temperatures that coating options and market applications are limited. Given the abundance of polyolefin applications and the gap in providing functional treatment options, we are carefully selecting targets and working with several market leaders to apply coatings that have the potential to expand polyolefin fabric usage into new applications and add significant value to existing applications,“ said Stefan Susta, Alexium's COO and Executive Director.

Alexium's RST process is ideally suited for treating high-performance polyolefins because these fibers are transparent to microwave processing and are not directly heated.

Through this process, the Alexium RST chemistries are directly cured on the fiber surface while the fiber effectively remains cold.

“The conventional heat curing methods are not a solution for many temperature sensitive fabrics. We anticipate that our RST process will offer a whole new range of applications for these technical fabrics,” remarked Dr. Bob Brookins, CTO of Alexium.

Alexium International Group Limited holds proprietary patent applications for a process developed initially by the US Department of Defense , which allows for the surface modification and attachment of nano particles or multiple chemical functional groups to surfaces or substrates to provide functions such as water proofing, oil proofing, anti-microbial, non-stick and UV protection. Applications under development include but are not limited to textiles, paints, packaging, glass and building materials.

Alexium International Group Limited