Modification of polyester by DC plasma: effect on fine structure and textile properties

Abstract

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:="" "times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font:="" minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;="" mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">Plasma treatment of polyester fibres and fabric in a DC source was done for different time intervals. The morphological changes in fibre structure were assessed by scanning electron microscopy which revealed the formation of voids and cracks on the fibre surface. The weight loss increased with treatment time while the tenacity and elongation-at-break were affected adversely to a small extent. Moisture regain, crease recovery and surface wettability improved though the dyeing behaviour was adversely affected. The yellowing of fabric as a result of plasma treatment was also studied.</span>