Method of making conductive, water and/or alcohol repellent nonwoven

Abstract

Improved treatment, composition and method of obtaining a naturally hydrophobic nonwoven web with desired conductivity and/or water repellency, and alcohol repellency. To obtain conductivity, the web is contacted with a composition containing an oxygen or nitrogen rich compound such as ethers, acids or alcohols and especially polymers thereof such as polyethers, and polyacids having an affinity for the substrate. In a further preferred embodiment alcohol repellency is obtained by subsequent or simultaneous contact of the treated web under appropriate pH conditions with a fluorocarbon-containing composition. The result is a conductive material satisfying anti-static requirements for surgical room use and still maintaining desirable water and alcohol repellent properties. Preferred embodiments include treatment with compounds having both moieties as part of the molecule producing a combination of both desired effects. Materials produced in accordance with the invention find applications where ever it is necessary that conductivity eliminate static and that water repellency be achieved. In particular, the materials are useful for surgical applications as gowns, drapes, and the like. Specific examples of treatment compositions include sulfonated polystyrene as a polyacid and ethylene oxide condensates as polyethers, for example. For repellency of fluids having lower surface tension than water, certain fluorocarbons or silicones may be used.