PROCESS FOR PRODUCING AN ANTIMICROBIALLY EFFECTIVE POLYURETHANE

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for imparting anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties to a polyurethane foam. Dissolving the pyrithione salt in an alkanolamine which is miscible with a polyol, makes this dissolved pyrithione an ideal candidate for use as a antimicrobial additive in this application. Prior use of pyrithiones in polyurethanes entailed using the powder form of zinc pyrithione. This was a dusty process as well as being difficult to disperse the pyrithione uniformly throughout the polyurethane foam. This invention overcomes both of these difficulties.