Precautions for using metal zippers

What is the principle of discoloration of metal zipper teeth? What are the precautions for using metal zippers with different textures? This article describes in detail the chemical properties of copper alloys, examples of discoloration caused by chemical reactions, and precautions when using metal zippers for clothing of different textures. Hope it helps you.

The discoloration principle of metal zipper teeth

The chemical nature of copper alloy is that it will react chemically when it encounters acid, alkali, oxidizing agent or reducing agent, and it is easy to change color. When the chemical agent remaining on the clothing reacts with the elements, the slider or the open end of the metal zipper, the invisible zipper slider may change color. This kind of chemical reaction is more likely to occur under high temperature and high humidity conditions (sewn products are steam-ironed, sealed and packaged in plastic bags and stored for a long time, etc.). This situation does not belong to the quality of the zipper slide and puller. 

Precautions when using metal zippers for clothing of different textures

Wool knitwear

The bleaching of wool knitwear usually uses the following methods.

1. Treat with acid bleach (H2O2) or reduce bleach (sulfurous acid).

2. In the post-treatment process of bleaching process-shrink-proof treatment or bleaching treatment, etc., if the water washing and neutralization treatment are not sufficient, gases such as CL2 or S2 will be generated. If high temperature (steam ironing) occurs, these gases are easy reacts with metals. So after bleaching, please use clean enough cloth.

3. As the fabrics are squeezed and packaged immediately after being steam-ironed, the metal zipper components containing copper alloy components (teeth, zipper sliders, top and bottom stops, etc.) react chemically with reagents or gases and are easy to change color. Therefore, the product after steam ironing should be fully cooled before packaging.

Leather

Leather processing usually uses mineral acids, sulfuric acid, chromium compounds, aldehyde compounds, etc. The main component of leather is animal protein. It is very difficult to completely remove the processing reagents (inorganic acid, sulfuric acid, chromium compounds, aldehyde compounds, etc.), which easily leads to the phenomenon of reagents remaining on the leather. When these residual reagents come into contact with the metal zipper puller, the color of the metal zipper accessories (teeth, slider, top and bottom stop, etc.) will gradually change. Therefore, please use leather that has been thoroughly cleaned and neutralized.

General clothing goods

Due to insufficient cleaning treatment after dyeing, the acidic compounds remaining on the dyed fabric will easily chemically react with the metal zipper and stain the fabric. Therefore, please use clothes that have been completely cleaned of oxidants (neutralization treatment) or thoroughly washed.

When purchasing zipper accessories and zipper slider, please indicate the special purpose and special requirements, such as ordinary water washing, acid enzyme washing, etc. If this article is helpful to you, please forward it to more people in need.