Characteristics

Eco-friendly

Silicon, the core material of Silitex, is extracted from minerals such as sand or quartz. It is a differentiated material that can replace natural leather that cannot avoid environmental pollution or animal-ethics problems, or traditional synthetic leather made from petroleum compounds, which has toxicity and environmental pollution problems. It is a next-generation raw material that fits the trend of growing interest in environmental issues.

Silitex is composed only of textile fabric and 100% silicone, and it is differentiated from other types of silicone synthetic leather such as silicone oil treated PU coated surfaces. Silitex does not add organic solvents in the production process and does not emit environmental pollutants such as toxic gases and wastewater that require separate purification or management. In addition, we want to help create a healthy living environment for the consumers by using safe silicone, which is used for baby pacifiers or cooking tools

Silitex has been recognized for the reduction of harmful substances and living environment pollution and has obtained the environmental certification from the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute.

Human body safety

Volatile Organic Compounds, VOC
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are compounds that volatilize in the air and can harm the human body. These include substances such as formaldehyde, toluene, and benzene. VOC, one of the causes of sick house syndrome, originates from decorative materials such as paint, wallpaper, and furniture finishing materials and building materials, and affects indoor air quality. In addition to the odor, it can cause physical symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and headaches.

Silitex’s VOC emission has passed the safety standards for children’s products, and it can be safely used in any enclosed spaces including children’s facilities.

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    Emissions of volatile organic compounds from Silitex in folder mats
Test Item Unit Test Result Remarks Safety Requirements
Toluene mg/(m2·h) 0.005 (40±1)℃ Below 1.40
Formamide mg/(m2·h) Non detected(detection limit 0.005) (40±1)℃ Below0.20
N.N-dimethylformamide mg/(m2·h) Non detected(detection limit 0.005) (40±1)℃ Below0.40
2-ethylhexoic acid mg/(m2·h) Non detected(detection limit 0.005) (40±1)℃ Below 0.25
Butylhydroxytoluene mg/(m2·h) Non detected(detection limit 0.005) (40±1)℃ Below0.50
2-Methoxyethanol mg/(m2·h) Non detected(detection limit 0.005) (40±1)℃ Below0.30
Formaldehyde mg/(m2·h) Non detected(detection limit 0.005) (40±1)℃ Below0.05
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    Emissions of volatile organic compounds from Silitex in folder mats
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    Hazardous Chemicals

Phthalate plasticizer and dimethylformamide (DMF) are widely used in the synthetic leather manufacturing process as plasticizers and solvents, respectively. But it is a substance that has been confirmed to be hazardous to the human body, with hazards such as hepatotoxicity or reproductive toxicity. In the traditional synthetic leather industry, efforts have been made to reduce the amount added during the production process or to reduce the residual amount through washing, but as revealed in the synthetic leather sofa safety status survey conducted by the Korea Consumer Agency in 2021, it was detected to be above the standard in synthetic leather products. It has become a chronic problem for synthetic leather products.

Unlike the existing synthetic leather, which uses petroleum compounds as basic raw material, Silitex made from liquid silicone does not require organic solvents or plasticizers in the manufacturing process, and is fundamentally free from these chronic problems. In addition, it is a clean and safe fabric that does not use harmful heavy metals, allergenic disperse dyes, or carcinogenic dyes. It is a healthy material suitable for application to a variety of products that constantly contacts the skin

Flame retardant

Silitex has flame retardancy from the properties of silicone itself without adding any additional flame retardant. Even if you bring fire onto the surface of the fabric, there is no spark. As a result of the flame-retardant performance test, the after-flame time, after-glow time, and flame duration were all 0 seconds. Once the causative flame disappeared, the fabric did not burn.

The flame-retardant properties of Silitex reduce the possibility of flames being transferred to the fabric in case of fire, leading to a bigger fire, and reduces the risk of emergencies. It is a fabric that can be safely used for interior decoration of multi-use facilities such as hotels, kids cafes, and hospitals that need to ensure the safety of many people including households.

BS Tech is a registered company in the flame-retardant treatment business (synthetic resins).

Contamination resistance

Silitex has excellent chemical resistance and is strong against household pollution.
Even if chemicals commonly used in daily life such as frying oil, nail polish, adhesives or lacquer used in handicraft work splash or smear, they do not stick to the fabric, so it can be wiped off. Even scribbles made with crayons and ballpoint pens can be erased.

Waterproof

Silitex has excellent resistance to water immersion.
. It does not get wet and repels water droplets, and it can be used for a variety of products that require water repellency/waterproof abilities, such as raincoats, baby bibs, and aprons.

  • Water repellency 710kPa (KS K 0592 : 2016, high pressure method)
  • Water resistance over 1,000cmH2O (KS K ISO 811 : 2015, hydraulic method)

Durability

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    Wear resistance

Silitex shows excellent tensile and rupture strength, exceeding 20,000 cycles in the abrasion resistance test (ASTM D4157-13 (2017)). .
With its reliable durability, it can be used for a variety of products, from sofa finishing materials to clothing.

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    Colorfastness

Silitex does not easily fade or transfer due to friction, light, or moisture, and maintains vivid colors.

Division Unit Test Result Test Specification
Colorfastness Grade 4-5 KS K ISO 105-C01
Colorfastness to friction - dry/wet Grade 4-5/4-5 KS K ISO 105-X12:2017
Colorfastness to water Grade 4-5 KS K ISO E01 : 2013
Colorfastness to light Grade ≥4 KS K ISO 102 : 2014, Method 3 MODIFIDED. EXPOSURE CYCLE AI
Colorfastness to washing Grade 4-5 KS K ISO 105-C06

Durability

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    Wear resistance

Silitex shows excellent tensile and rupture strength, exceeding 20,000 cycles in the abrasion resistance test (ASTM D4157-13 (2017)). .
With its reliable durability, it can be used for a variety of products, from sofa finishing materials to clothing.

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    Colorfastness

Silitex does not easily fade or transfer due to friction, light, or moisture, and maintains vivid colors.

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    Weather resistance

Silitex is not easily corroded even by chlorine-sterilized swimming pool water, so it’s been consistently favored as fabric for swimming caps for nearly 20 years
Even today it is supplied to famous water sports brands and is a fabric that has been proven through long time of experience.
Silitex, which has excellent hydrolysis resistance and weather resistance, is a material of choice not only indoors, but also in dynamic outdoor environments with rain and snow.

Heat resistance

Silicone is used in a variety of ways, from microwave containers to refrigerator ice trays, and is a material that shows stability over a wide temperature range.
Silitex, a silicone-coated fabric, also shows excellent heat resistance that even the surface of the fabric does not get damaged when it comes in contact with a boiling pot or a hot iron.
Even if it is sterilized in boiling water, there is no deformation of the fabric. In addition, it does not harden but maintains its soft texture even in cold environments where ice freezes.