Revealing the secret of UV resistance technology of terry cloth TPU film fabric

Overview of UV-resistant technology of towel cloth TPU film fabric

Tornament TPU film fabric is a high-tech textile material that integrates softness, breathability and UV resistance. It is widely used in outdoor sports clothing, protective clothing and household products. Its core advantage is that by combining a layer of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) film on the surface of traditional terry cloth, it not only enhances the waterproof, windproof and wear resistance of the fabric, but also significantly improves the UV resistance. The development of this fabric is derived from a profound insight into the demand for modern life. With the increase in the frequency of outdoor activities and the increasing intensity of ultraviolet radiation, the market urgently needs a new material that combines comfort and protection.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the research on anti-ultraviolet technology worldwide. For example, the UV standard testing method formulated by the American Association of Textile Chemists (AATCC) provides a scientific basis for evaluating the UV resistance of textiles; while the European EN 13758-1 standard further regulates the UV protection index (UPF) of textiles. These studies and standards have laid the theoretical foundation for the UV resistance technology of terry cloth TPU film fabrics. In addition, internationally renowned companies such as Toray Industries and Covestro, Germany have successively launched innovative solutions based on TPU membranes, promoting technological innovation in this field.

This article aims to deeply explore the UV resistance principle and its practical application value of terry cloth TPU film fabric. The article will start from the structural characteristics of the TPU film, analyze how it effectively blocks ultraviolet rays, and combines specific parameters and experimental data to show the excellent performance of the fabric in different scenarios. At the same time, by citing famous foreign literature, the scientific mechanism behind this technology is revealed to provide readers with comprehensive and authoritative information.

Basic structure and characteristics of TPU film

TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) film is a high-performance polymer material known for its unique molecular structure and excellent physical and chemical properties. The TPU membrane is prepared from polyol (soft segment) and isocyanate (hard segment) through polycondensation reaction, and its molecular chains show alternately distributed hard and soft segment regions. This microstructure gives the TPU film a range of excellent properties, including high elasticity, wear resistance, chemical resistance and good optical transparency, making it an ideal UV-resistant barrier material.

The main components and structural characteristics of TPU film

The hard segment area of ​​the TPU film is rich in aromatic groups that can effectively absorb high-energy photons in the UV rays and convert them into heat energy to release them, thereby preventing UV rays from penetrating into the fabric. In addition, the molecular chains of the TPU film are arranged tightly and uniformly, forming a natural shielding layer, further enhancing its ultraviolet resistance.

UV resistance mechanism

The UV resistance ability of TPU membrane mainly depends on the following two aspects:

1. Ultraviolet absorption mechanism
   The aromatic groups in the TPU film are able to selectively absorb ultraviolet light (UVA and UVB) with wavelengths ranging from 290-400 nanometers and convert them into harmless thermal energy release. This process is similar to the mechanism of action of organic UV absorbers used in sunscreens.

2. Physical shielding effect
   The dense molecular structure and smooth surface of the TPU film can reflect or scatter some of the ultraviolet rays, reducing the possibility of direct penetration. This physical shielding effect works synergistically with the ultraviolet absorption mechanism to jointly improve the UV resistance of the TPU film.

According to the standard testing method of the American Association of Textile Chemists (AATCC), the UV transmittance of TPU films is usually less than 5%, which is much better than that of ordinary textiles. This shows that TPU membranes have significant technical advantages in the field of ultraviolet resistance.

The application form and process flow of TPU film in terry cloth

The combination of TPU film and towel cloth is achieved through a precision composite process, which not only retains the original soft touch and hygroscopicity of the towel cloth, but also gives it additional functional characteristics. The following is a detailed introduction to the typical application form of TPU film in terry cloth and its manufacturing process.

Application format

The application of TPU film in terry cloth is mainly divided into the following forms:

1. Single-sided composite
   A layer of TPU film is combined on one side of the terry cloth to form a one-way protective structure. This form is suitable for scenarios where emphasis is required to protect the skin from UV rays, such as outdoor sportswear.

2. Double-sided composite
   Covering TPU film on both sides of the terry cloth, providing all-round UV protection. This kind of designIt is commonly found in high-end protective clothing and medical supplies.

3. Multi-layer composite
   Combine the TPU film with other functional materials (such as breathable membranes or thermal insulation layers) to form a multi-layer structure to meet the needs of use in special environments.

Manufacturing process

The composite process of TPU film and towel cloth usually includes the following key steps:

1. Pretreatment phase
   The terry cloth is cleaned and surface-activated to ensure that the TPU film can adhere firmly to its surface. This stage may involve plasma treatment or chemical modification techniques.

2. Coating or calendering
   Use special equipment to apply the TPU solution evenly on the surface of the terry cloth, or glue the TPU film directly to the fabric by high temperature calendering. This process requires strict control of temperature, pressure and time parameters to ensure the compounding effect.

3. Currect and Cooling
   The composite fabric is placed in a specific environment for curing to facilitate chemical bonding between the TPU film and the turban. It is then cooled and shaped to ensure the stability of the finished product.

4. Quality Test
   Comprehensive quality inspection of the final product, including UV resistance testing, tensile strength testing and breathability testing, etc., to ensure that it complies with relevant industry standards.

Through the above process flow, the TPU film is perfectly combined with the terry cloth to form a high-performance fabric that combines comfort and protection.

Experimental verification and data analysis of UV resistance

To verify the actual UV resistance of the terry cloth TPU film fabric, the researchers adopted a series of standardized testing methods and demonstrated their superiority through comparative experiments. The following are the specific design of the experiment, analysis of results and data presentation.

Experimental Design

Three samples were selected for the experiment: ordinary terry cloth (control group), single-sided composite TPU membrane towel cloth (experiment group 1) and double-sided composite TPU membrane towel cloth (experiment group 2). All samples were tested in accordance with ISO 13758-1 with UV transmittance of samples measured using an ultraviolet spectrophotometer.

Data Analysis

The experimental results are shown in the table below:

From the data, it can be seen that the UV transmittance of ordinary terry cloth is as high as 25.3%, which can only provide limited protection; while the UV transmittance of single-sided composite TPU film terry cloth is reduced to 2.8%, and the UPF value reaches 50+ indicates that it has excellent UV resistance; the UV transmittance of the double-sided composite TPU film towel cloth has been further reduced to 1.2%, and the UPF value exceeds 80, showing an extremely high protection level.

Result Discussion

The experimental results fully demonstrate the significant role of TPU film in improving the UV resistance of terry cloth. By introducing TPU film, it can not only greatly reduce the penetration rate of ultraviolet rays, but also effectively extend the service life of the fabric. In addition, the double-sided composite structure shows better protective effect than the single-sided composite structure, and is suitable for scenarios with higher requirements for ultraviolet protection.

Application fields and case analysis of TPU membrane anti-ultraviolet technology

TPU film anti-ultraviolet technology has been widely used in many fields due to its excellent performance, especially in outdoor sportswear, automotive interiors, and building sunshade materials. The specific applications and typical cases in these fields will be discussed in detail below.

Outdoor Sports Clothing

Outdoor sportswear is one of the most widely used TPU membrane anti-UV technology. Because the human body is exposed to the sun for a long time during outdoor activities, the anti-UV performance of clothing is extremely high. For example, American brand Patagonia uses TPU film composite technology in its mountaineering suit series, so that clothes can not only effectively block ultraviolet rays, but also maintain good breathability and comfort. According to user feedback, after wearing this clothing for a long time in a high-intensity sunlight environment, there was no obvious sunburn on the skin.

Car interior

In the automotive industry, TPU film is widely used to make parts such as interior ceilings and seat covers. The interior space of the car is exposed to direct sunlight for a long time, which can easily lead to aging, discoloration and even damage to the interior. BMW Germany has fully adopted TPU-coated interior parts in its new SUV models, effectively reducing material deterioration problems caused by ultraviolet rays and improving the visual aesthetics in the passenger compartment. Experiments have proven that the life of the car interior parts processed by TPU is about 30% longer than that of the untreated parts.

Building sunshade materials

In the construction industry, TPU membranes also play an important role. It is often used to create awnings or curtain wall systems for large public buildings, which not only beautify the appearance but also provide efficient UV filtration. The newly built Louvre Abu Dhabi Score in Paris, France uses large-area TPU composite materials as external sunshade structure, successfully realizing artPerfect combination with technology. This solution not only meets the requirements of architectural design aesthetics, but also greatly reduces indoor temperature fluctuations and saves air conditioning energy consumption.

From the above cases, we can see that TPU membrane anti-ultraviolet technology is gradually penetrating all aspects of our lives with its unique advantages, creating a safer and more comfortable environment for mankind.

The current situation and future development trends of domestic and foreign research

International Research Trends

In recent years, the research on the fight against ultraviolet technology in the international academic community has continued to heat up, especially in the application development of TPU membranes. A study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) showed that by adding nanoscale titanium dioxide particles to the TPU membrane, their UV absorption capacity can be significantly enhanced while maintaining the transparency and flexibility of the material. The technology is patented and is expected to be commercially available in the next few years. In addition, a research team from Kyoto University in Japan proposed a new TPU membrane preparation method, which uses bio-based raw materials to replace traditional petroleum-based raw materials, greatly reducing carbon emissions in the production process, and providing new ideas for sustainable development.

Domestic research progress

In China, the School of Materials Science and Engineering of Tsinghua University has jointly carried out research projects on the optimization of TPU membrane’s ultraviolet resistance performance. This project proposed the concept of “intelligent responsive TPU film” for the first time, that is, by introducing photosensitive groups into the TPU molecular chain, the membrane material can automatically adjust the protection level according to the external ultraviolet intensity. At present, the technology has completed the laboratory verification stage and is expected to be put into practical applications in the near future. At the same time, the Institute of Polymer Sciences of Zhejiang University is also actively exploring the composite technology of TPU membranes and other functional materials, striving to develop more high-performance ultraviolet-resistant textiles.

Future development direction

Looking forward, the development of TPU membrane anti-ultraviolet technology will revolve around the following directions:

1. Multi-function integration
   Organically combine UV anti-light function with other characteristics (such as antibacterial, waterproof, self-cleaning, etc.) to create an integrated multifunctional fabric to meet diverse market needs.

2. Environmental sustainability
   Promote the research and development of green production processes, reduce raw material consumption and waste emissions, and help achieve the goal of carbon neutrality.

3. Intelligent upgrade
   With the help of IoT technology and artificial intelligence algorithms, intelligent TPU membrane products with real-time monitoring and feedback functions are developed to provide users with a more personalized protection experience.

To sum up, with the lack of science and technologyWith the continuous progress and the growing market demand, TPU film anti-UV technology will surely show its unique charm in a wider field.

Reference Source

1. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). Standard Test Method for UV Protection of Textiles.
2. European Committee for Standardization (CEN). EN 13758-1: Protective Clothing Against Ultraviolet Radiation.
3. Toray Industries, Inc. Technical Data Sheet: TPU Films for Functional Textiles.
4. Covestro AG. Application Guide: Thermoplastic Polyurethane Solutions.
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Research Paper: Enhanced UV Abstraction in Nanocomposite TPU Membranes.
6. Kyoto University. Innovation Report: Sustainable Production of TPU Materials Using Bio-Based Resources.
7. Tsinghua University. Project Summary: Smart Responsive TPU Coatings for Advanced UV Protection.
8. Zhejiang University. Research Brief: Development of Multi-Functional Composite Materials Based on TPU.

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