CVC-200-AM — CVC Twill 200gsm with Copper Ion Antimicrobial Finish
CVC-200-AM is a cotton-rich twill treated with copper ion (Cu2+) antimicrobial finish — the premium specification for healthcare and senior care uniform programs that demand the highest level of bacterial protection and the longest wash durability available.
The 60% cotton content gives this fabric a noticeably softer, more natural hand feel than standard 65/35 PC twill — important for caregivers and nursing staff who wear their uniforms for 12+ hour shifts in close-contact environments. The 40% polyester provides the industrial wash durability and wrinkle resistance that healthcare programs require.
The copper ion treatment is the key differentiator. Copper (Cu2+) is a broader-spectrum antimicrobial agent than silver, and it bonds more durably to cotton-rich fabrics. While silver ion treatments typically guarantee 50-cycle durability, copper ion maintains ≥99.9% bacterial reduction through 100+ industrial wash cycles — effectively matching the full garment lifespan.
Copper Ion (Cu2+) — embedded finish (Silver Ion Ag+ available on request)
Antibacterial Rate
≥99.9% reduction (3-log) against S. aureus and K. pneumoniae
Test Standard
AATCC 100 (North America) / ISO 20743 (EU, Asia, Middle East)
Wash Durability
≥99.9% efficacy retained after 100 industrial laundry cycles (AATCC 135 / ISO 6330)
Shrinkage
≤2.5% after 5 washes (ISO 6330)
Colorfastness to Washing
Grade 4 (ISO 105-C06)
Colorfastness to Light
Grade 4 (ISO 105-B02)
Pilling Resistance
Grade 4 (ISO 12945-2)
Tensile Strength (Warp)
≥850 N (ISO 13934-1)
Tear Strength (Weft)
≥22 N (ISO 13937-2)
pH Value
4.0–7.5 (ISO 3071)
Finishing
Pre-washed, heat-set, antimicrobial treated
Why Copper Ion for Senior Care & Premium Healthcare?
Healthcare uniforms in nursing homes and senior care facilities face the most demanding conditions in the medical apparel sector — daily contact with vulnerable populations, repeated high-temperature industrial laundering, and extended wear cycles.
Copper ion addresses these requirements better than any other antimicrobial technology available:
100-cycle durability: The copper ion bonds covalently to the cotton fiber, creating a permanent chemical bond that survives 100+ industrial launderings. Silver ion treatments, which rely on ionic adhesion, typically guarantee 50 cycles.
Broader spectrum: Copper is intrinsically toxic to a wider range of microorganisms than silver, including antibiotic-resistant strains (MRSA, VRE).
Cotton-compatible: Unlike silver, which bonds best to polyester, copper bonds effectively to cotton-rich fabrics — making CVC the ideal base fabric for this treatment.
Human-safe: Copper is an essential human nutrient. At the concentrations used in textile antimicrobial treatment, it is non-irritating, hypoallergenic, and safe for continuous skin contact.
Copper Ion vs. Silver Ion — Which Should You Choose?
Factor
Copper Ion (Cu2+)
Silver Ion (Ag+)
Wash durability
100+ cycles
50+ cycles
Best base fabric
Cotton-rich (CVC, cotton)
Polyester-rich (PC, polyester)
Spectrum
Broader — effective against MRSA
Broad — standard gram-positive/negative
Cost per meter
+20–30% premium vs. standard
+15–25% premium vs. standard
Garment lifespan match
Matches full garment lifespan
Covers ~70% of garment lifespan
Best for
Senior care, ICU, long-term care
General medical, hospitality
For general hospital scrubs: Silver ion (PCT-190-AM) is sufficient and cost-effective. For senior care, nursing homes, ICU, and premium medical programs: Copper ion is the superior choice.
Fabric Hand & Appearance
Hand feel: Softer and more cotton-like than standard PC twill. The 60% cotton content is immediately noticeable to the touch — less crisp, more comfortable against skin during extended wear.
Appearance: Clean twill surface. The copper treatment does not alter the color or appearance of the base fabric. No visible residue, no change in dye uptake.
Breathability: Cotton-rich construction provides better moisture vapor transmission than PC equivalents — important for caregivers in warm environments.
Applications
Application
Why This Fabric Works
Senior care / nursing home uniforms
Longest wash durability (100+ cycles) — uniforms last as long as the garment
ICU and critical care scrubs
Higher bacterial exposure demands the broadest-spectrum protection
Premium medical scrub programs
Cotton-rich comfort for 12+ hour shifts
Long-term care facility uniforms
Frequent high-temp laundering — copper withstands the harshest wash regimes
Hospice and palliative care uniforms
Soft cotton hand feel for close-contact patient care
Dental and clinic uniforms
Professional appearance with durable antimicrobial protection
Veterinary medical uniforms
Copper is effective against animal-borne pathogens
Available Combined Finishes
Finish Combination
Best For
Antimicrobial + Moisture-Wicking
Active care roles — nursing, patient transport
Antimicrobial + Stain-Release
Elder care, incontinent care environments
Antimicrobial + Wrinkle-Resistant (DP)
Front-of-house medical, administration
Antimicrobial + Anti-static
Operating rooms, cleanroom environments
Color Options
Stock Colors (6 — held in continuous inventory):
Color
Application
White
Standard medical — most widely ordered
Navy
Senior care, management uniforms
Black
Hospitality healthcare, premium programs
Light Blue
General medical, dental
Ceil Blue
Nursing — healthcare standard
Sage Green
Scrubs, surgical environments
Custom Dye:
Pantone / Lab-dyed match: ≤0.5 delta E
MOQ: 500 meters per color
Color strike-off: 3–5 working days
Bulk dye + copper antimicrobial lead time: 30–35 days
Ordering Information
Parameter
Details
Stock color MOQ
200 meters per color
Custom color MOQ
500 meters per color
A4 sample swatch
Free, dispatched within 3 working days
Treated sample yardage (minimum 50m)
Available for antimicrobial efficacy testing
Bulk lead time (stock + copper antimicrobial)
20–25 days
Bulk lead time (custom dye + copper antimicrobial)
AATCC 135 / ISO 6330 — efficacy at 10, 30, 50, and 100 cycles
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
For copper antimicrobial agent
OEKO-TEX Standard 100
Available upon request
REACH Compliance Statement
EU chemical safety
ISO 10993 Biocompatibility
Skin irritation and sensitization test report
Care Instructions
Care Step
Instruction
Washing
Machine wash 60–75°C, normal cycle — industrial wash compatible
Bleaching
Chlorine bleach compatible — copper treatment is chlorine-stable
Drying
Tumble dry medium, or hang dry
Ironing
Medium iron (150°C)
Dry cleaning
Permitted (PCE)
✅ Copper advantage: Unlike silver ion treatments, copper ion is chlorine-stable — bleach can be used in industrial laundry without degrading the antimicrobial efficacy. This is a critical advantage for nursing homes and senior care facilities where bleach is standard in the wash protocol.
FAQ
Q: How does copper ion last 100 washes when silver only lasts 50? A: Copper ions form a covalent chemical bond with the cotton fiber — the same type of bond that holds dye to fabric. Silver ions rely on weaker ionic adhesion. The covalent bond is significantly more resistant to hydrolysis and mechanical abrasion during washing. This is why copper is the preferred technology for cotton-rich fabrics and silver for polyester-rich fabrics.
Q: Does copper ion change the fabric color? A: No. The copper concentration used for antimicrobial treatment (parts-per-million level) is far below the threshold where discoloration occurs. The treatment is colorless and does not affect the dye shade.
Q: Is the copper treatment safe for residents in senior care? A: Yes. Copper is an essential human nutrient (we ingest 1–2mg daily from food). The trace amounts present in treated fabric pose zero health risk. ISO 10993 biocompatibility testing confirms non-irritating and non-sensitizing classification.
Q: Can I get silver ion instead of copper on this fabric? A: Yes. CVC-200 is also available with silver ion treatment (product code CVC-200-AM-S). However, silver bonds less durably to cotton-rich fabrics. We recommend copper for this base fabric to achieve the 100-cycle durability guarantee.
Q: What’s the price difference between copper and silver treatments? A: Copper treatment adds approximately 5–10% more than silver treatment at the fabric level. Given the 2× wash durability (100 cycles vs. 50), the cost-per-wear of copper is actually lower.
Q: Is copper treatment effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria? A: Yes. Copper has demonstrated efficacy against MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and VRE (vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus) in peer-reviewed studies. Test reports against specific resistant strains are available upon request.
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