Investigation of antibacterial and antifungal properties of tufting carpets containing metal composite yarns

In this research, antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) properties of tufting carpets containing metal/texturized polyester composite yarns were investigated. Carpet contains different yarn groups such as pile yarns, ground warps and wefts. Backing fabric's warp and weft yarns are suitable for gaining antimicrobial activity because of their placement and low usage amount. Thus, textured polyester yarns were commingled with copper, stainless steel metal wires and silver metalized polyamide yarn. Backing fabrics were produced with four different placements by composite yarns. Antibacterial activity tests were applied to carpet samples according to AATCC 100 standard against K. pneumoniae and S. aureus bacteria. AATCC 30 - Part 3 standard was used for determining antifungal activity against A. niger. Results show that the antibacterial activity increases with increasing in the amount of metal composite yarn in unit area. Carpet samples which include copper or metalized silver composite yarn in all warps showed antibacterial activity about 99%. Moreover, antifungal activity can be provided against A. niger when copper and metalized silver composite yarn is used in all warps of carpet samples.