Modern textile manufacturers have begun to incorporate advanced materials into their fabrics. American Elements has met the challenge producing several products that assist in the anti-wetting and anti-microbial capabilities of garments.

In 2010, we launched S-Mite™, a dispersable anti-microbial nanoscale silver oxide powder that has been tested and used by such companies as Eddie Bauer and W.L. Gore, makers of patented Gortex™ fabrics.

Question? Speak to an American Elements engineer at textiles@americanelements.com

Innovation Case Study #20: American Elements Creates and Launches Anti-Microbial Nanopowder for Use in Textiles

#20: American Elements Creates and Launches Anti-Microbial Nanopowder for Use in Textiles

The Challenge

In 2004, W.L. Gore was looking for a way to introduce an antimicrobial capability to its popular Gortex™ sports fabrics in order to make them even more useful in extreme high-humidity/high temperature environments. W.L. Gore contacted American Elements to assist in creating this next generation textile.

The Innovation

At the time American Elements was already in the process of developing a low cost method to produce nanoscale metal oxide powders, one of which was an antimicrobial zinc oxide nanopowder. Small samples and eventually bulk quantities were delivered to W.L. Gore.

The Result

W.L. Gore incorporated Z-Mite into its coating blend and produced an exceptional material that retained antimicrobial properties after repeated washing and use. American Elements branded this new powder Z-Mite™. Z-Mite continues to be a widely used material in the garment industry.
Below is merely a selection of the full catalog of Textiles & Fabrics products that American Elements manufactures. If you do not see a material you're looking for listed, please search the website or contact customerservice@americanelements.com.

Selected Products Supplied to the Textiles & Fabrics Industry

(5N) 99.999% Aluminum Oxide Powder 3% Yttria Stabilized Zirconia Aluminum Oxalate Aluminum Oxide Powder
Aluminum Phosphate Aluminum Phosphate Sputtering Target Ammonium Oxalate Antimony Tin Oxide (ATO)
Barium Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Dispersion Barium Iron Oxide Nanoparticles / Nanopowder Bismuth Oxychloride Blue Tungsten Oxide (TBO)
Boron Nitride Nanoparticle Dispersion Boron Nitride Nanoparticles Cadmium Ingot Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticle Dispersion
Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles Calcium Copper Titanate Calcium Nitrate Solution Carbon Black Nanodispersion
Carbon Black Nanoparticles / Nanopowder Carbon Bromide Cerium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Chromium Chloride Basic
Copper Phthalocyanine Copper Powder Eosin Y Gallium Ingot
Gold Nanoparticle Dispersion Gold Nanoparticles Indium Blocks Indium Cubes
Indium Foil Indium Rod Magnesium Chloride Solution Molybdenum 2-Ethylhexanoate
Nickel Acetate Solution Nickel Powder Niobium Oxide Nanoparticle Dispersion Niobium Oxide Nanoparticles / Nanopowder
Periodic Acid Phosphorus(III) Chloride Selenium Ingot Silicon Nanoparticle Dispersion
Silicon Nanoparticles Sodium Gluconate Sodium Hexahydroxoantimonate Sodium Sulfite
Sodium Trichloroacetate Sodium Trifluoroacetate Sodium Trifluoroacetate-1-13C Sodium Trifluoroacetate-13C2
Sodium Tripolyphosphate Tantalum Nanoparticle Dispersion Tantalum Nanoparticles Tin(II) Tartrate Hydrate
Titanium Carbide Nanoparticle Dispersion Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles Tungsten Nanoparticle Dispersion Tungsten Nanoparticles
Tungsten(VI) Oxide Nanoparticle Dispersion Tungsten(VI) Oxide Nanoparticles / Nanopowder Ytterbium Oxide Nanoparticle Dispersion Ytterbium Oxide Nanoparticles / Nanopowder
Zinc Chloride Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Dispersion Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles / Nanopowder Zinc Oxide Pieces
Zinc Oxide Powder Zinc Rod Zinc Thiocyanate Zirconium Sulfate
Zirconium(IV) Sulfate Tetrahydrate