The Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Power of Copper Fabrics

Dr. N.N. Mahapatra
Textile Technocrat

Everybody is aware that Zari work is an intricate art of embroidery made of fine gold or silver threads. These gold yarns are now wrapped with cotton threads to avoid breakage. This metallic yarn brilliantly reflects light, making the thread sparkle and giving embroidery a rich look. The beautiful shine of these yarns brings elegance to embroidered work. This thread is woven into the fabric to create intricate designs. Zari serves as the primary component in decorating silk sarees, gowns, lehengas and similar garments. It is mostly a brocade of tinsel thread used to create beautiful designs during weaving and embroidery. Metallic Zari offers durability, resists tarnishing, and preserves its shine over extended periods. Zari is used in various forms like Zardosi, Kataoki Bel, Mukaish, Tilla or Marori Work, Gota Work and Kinari Work. With this in mind, the textile researchers thought of using copper-making yarn and fabrics.

We all know  Copper is necessary for growth, metabolism development and good health. Copper is an essential element for children's growth, especially for bone strength and for the support of the red and white blood cells production, cholesterol, heart contraction, heart contraction and brain development.

Copper is a new generation of yarn developed after thorough research. It is obtained by the union of natural or artificial fibres with a special filament of extra-thin copper, polished or plain. This raw material is known for its electrical conductivity and heat regulation properties. Due to the fibres’ long durability even after numerous washes, copper is used in several fields. The electricity charged from the environment or during workouts is absorbed and dispersed thanks to the fibre's conductivity. Thanks to its structure, it maintains a constant effectiveness over time, even after many washings. Copper contains the superoxide dismutase enzyme: it has a strong antioxidant action that eliminates free radicals, the main cause of ageing.

It speeds up the sweat evaporation process, reducing skin humidity, and keeps a constant body temperature. Copper is an ally against skin ageing; for adults, a daily copper amount is recommended. It can be found in the superoxide dismutase enzyme. It explains why copper is a strong antioxidant that eliminates free radicals and ageing.

An adult needs a daily intake of 0.9 mg of copper (as determined by the National Academy of Science, USA). A daily intake of copper is therefore necessary to maintain a good balance, especially in normal conditions where the human body retains only 1% of the ingested copper.

How Copper Yarn Works

Due  to the innovative yarn based on copper filament, it is able to ensure the human body’s wellness thanks to its main properties, perfect for the three main essential uses:

• Biochemist Use: it allows skin to absorb copper.
• Electromagnetic Use: as a resonant frequency;
• Bioelectric Use: regulating microorganisms.

The ancient practice of Cupro Therapy demonstrates an important finding: copper absorption through the skin is possible, not limited to oral consumption alone.

Cupro Therapy refers to the therapeutic application of copper. Historical records show that copper bracelets were recommended for health benefits as far back as 6,000 B.C., with notable figures such as Aristotle, Galen, Hippocrates, and Avicenna advocating their use.

A survey of 300 people suffering from arthritis, who wore copper bracelets, showed that a significant number of them had received benefits from the bracelet.

Other studies proved that the same bracelet would have lost 50 mg over a period of 50 days.

Properties of Copper Yarn

• Antistatic Property (no polish copper): it disperses electric charges accumulated from the external environment;
• Metabolic Property: if absorbed by the skin, copper supports human body growth and its wellness.
• Antioxidant Property: it helps combat free radicals responsible for skin aging;
• Transpirent Property: it accelerates moisture movement away from the skin;
• Heat Regulating Property: keeps the temperature constant.

Applications of Copper Yarn

Due to its electric conductivity and its heat-regulating property, copper yarn is used in multiple ways that can give benefits to the human body.

These features make copper yarn appropriate for the realisation of technical textiles that need particular performances.

Copper Metalised Fabrics

Copper serves as a powerful antimicrobial metal with antiviral, antibacterial, and fungicidal properties for superior protection. Research has consistently demonstrated copper's effectiveness against viruses. Past as well as recent studies showed that this is also true for the SARS-CoV family, including the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is known to cause COVID-19.

Copper Protect fabrics are now available as follows:

• Fleece: as an antiviral layer for the inner layer of breathing masks, medical protective clothing or shoe covers  
• Ripstop Woven: as an antiviral outer material for gloves, hats or scarfs  
• Self-Adhesive Small Cut Fabrics (11 X 8 Cm): for covers of door handles and window openers

These fabrics are also suited for covers of all kinds (e.g. public transportation handles or door handles) or wherever you feel special precautions need to be taken.

Copper-infused yarn represents an advanced performance yarn designed to meet modern textile industry demands for superior functionality. This yarn incorporates nano copper particles embedded within the fibre matrix. The embedded copper elements deliver inherent antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-odour characteristics, while supporting skin health and balancing skin pH levels as copper is vital to human physiology.

Textiles produced from copper-infused yarn possess inherent self-cleaning properties, reducing washing frequency requirements while keeping garments hygienic and fresh. These powerful benefits make it applicable in a wide range application, suitable for woven & knit apparel, sportswear, performance wear, innerwear, tops, socks, medical textiles, and home textiles.

Key Features

• Antibacterial
• Anti-fungal
• Anti-odor
• Skin-friendly & pH-balanced

Composition  of Copper Yarn

Copper  Yarn  Is Used For

• military clothing;
• industrial textiles;
• heating textiles;
• sportswear;
• mattresses;
• curtains;
• socks.