Journal of Textile Science & Engineering

Different Surface Modification of Poly (Ethylene Terephthalate) and Polyamide 66 Fibers by Atmospheric Air Plasma Discharge and Laser Treatment: Surface Morphology and Soil Release Behavior

Abstract

Shirin Nourbakhsh and Izadyar Ebrahimi

The wettability of poly (ethylene terephthalate) and polyamide fabrics is important for industrial use. This property can be obtained by treatment of fabrics using chemical and physical methods such as alkaline etching, plasma discharge treatments and laser irradiation. Some treatments change the surface of the fibers and fabrics so that causes negative effects of soil release in laundering process for costumer usage. In this research, poly (ethylene terephthalate) and polyamide 66 fabrics were exposed to atmospheric air plasma discharge and Excimer laser instrument. Wettability and soil release behavior of treated fabrics were determined and surface characteristics of atmospheric air plasma discharge and laser treated fabrics were assessed by SEM and FTIR/ATR analysis. Laser treatment of poly (ethylene terephthalate) fabric makes carboxylic acid groups which causes hydrophilicity on the poly (ethylene terephthalate) surface. Despite chemical changes on fiber surface and hydrophilicity of chemical groups, morphological changes on fiber surface are responsible for soiling behavior of poly (ethylene terephthalate) and polyamide 66 fabrics. Laser treated poly (ethylene terephthalate) and polyamide 66 fibers have ripple like structure so that soil can penetrate into the gaps and remained on the fiber surface. Plasma treatment causes uneven surface which soil remove easily during laundering process.