Grant: CCI Applied Research and Development Grants

Technical textiles are needed in high performance applications. For example, aramids are used in firefighter clothing for their flame retardant property. The use of high-performance fibres are popular for applications requiring high performance. Technical textiles are sensitive to aging, especially aromatic polymers. This sensitivity is accompanied by a decrease in chemical, mechanical and thermal properties. Radiation can trigger photochemical reactions that cause loss of chemical, physical properties and colour change. UV radiation is particularly conducive to this type of reaction. This range of wavelengths is mainly absorbed in the organic compounds used in textile materials. The absorption and energy of these electromagnetic waves make polymers particularly sensitive to UV rays. For example, the textile becomes more brittle through splitting and cross-linking. UV protection is necessary in order to preserve the properties of the textile, including its mechanical, thermal and colouring properties. The Quebec Company Elkimia is developing new mycosporin amino acid (MAA) mimics as new UV protection agents. These patented derivatives have a revolutionary activity in different industries such as the cosmetics industry, textiles and various coatings. The present collaboration between Elkimia the CTT Group / Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe aims to develop UV protection formulations suitable for high performance fibres, particularly aramid fibres. The formulations developed should be water-based and apply by padding.