Lab coats offer protection from spills yet they must also be comfortable enough to wear all day. They are made from a variety of materials
according to how they will be used. Lab coats usually are a blend of cotton and another material since cotton is what makes them lightweight
and comfortable.
Cotton and polyester is the most common material used to make lab coats for general use. The cotton is for comfort
while polyester repels liquid spills. The blend is usually around 80 percent polyester and 20 percent cotton but the percentage can
vary according to the manufacturer.
Carbon fibers can be added to the polyester and cotton blend to increase the fabric's ability
to repel fluids. The cotton fibers give a faint pin-stripe look to the lab coat. These fibers add protection when working in high
oxygen environments or in labs with sensitive electronic equipment.
Polyester and cotton lab coats can also be treated to repel
liquid spills. Fabric that is treated with Nano-Care causes liquids to bead up and roll off rather than seep into the fabric. Treating
the fabric allows it to repel liquids without changing the look or feel of the lab coat.
Anti-microbial, fluid resistant lab
coats are made from polyester microfiber and treated to kill bacteria, fungi, and mold. They repel fluid by causing it to bead up
and roll away. They also offer protection from hazardous chemicals like bases and acids. Polyester microfiber is more lightweight
than polyester and cotton so they are more comfortable to wear and are more durable too.
Some laboratories, like biohazard labs,
require employees to wear disposable lab coats. These are made from polyethylene or spun polyethylene. These offer a high degree of
protection from contaminants and pathogens. These are much more expensive than cotton lab coats. Other disposable lab coats are made
from Tyvek, which is a high-density polyethylene fabric that acts as a barrier and is puncture resistant.
Lab coats can be made
resistant to chemicals and flames. Chemical resistant lab coats are usually made from cotton twill and treated with ammonia, which
makes them slow to react when coming into contact with caustic chemicals or fire. Nomex fabric from DuPont is also used to make lab
coats as it is flame resistant, lightweight, durable, and not damaged in the laundry.
Lab coats are made from a variety of fabrics
according to the type of protection they provide and the type of working environment they will be worn in. It is important to wear
the proper lab coat if you work around infectious organisms or caustic chemicals so you stay safe.
