MetalliX antimicrobial coating technology

Developed by Australian materials technology company Xefco in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, MetalliX is a patent-pending technology that applies a trace amount of 99.95% pure copper as an ultra-thin surface coating on the fibres of textiles. MetalliX technology harnesses the unique antimicrobial properties of copper, utilising a high-tech vapour deposition process to create breathable materials that destroy harmful enveloped viruses (such as SARS-COV-2) and bacteria.

MetalliX uses Xefco’s coating technology to produce ultra-thin copper surfaces on textiles that does not change the hand feel, breathability or weight of the fabric. The ultra-thin copper surface coating provides rapid antiviral and antibacterial activity, inhibiting the persistence of pathogens on treated textiles.

Studies conducted by the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity have shown materials treated with MetalliX technology can inactivate SARS-COV-2, the virus that has caused the COVID-19 pandemic, by 97.79% within five minutes and 99.95% within 15 minutes, with no infectious virus detectable on the textiles after 30 minutes. MetalliX can be applied to a range of textiles and substrates. The coating process allows the treatment of hydrophobic spunbonded and melt blown materials used in PPE face masks and air filters which cannot be treated via conventional textile finishing methods.