Polyester and meta-aramid nonwoven samples were treated at reduced pressure in a radiofrequency oxygen plasma for between 5 and 30 seconds. The hydrophilic effect of the plasma treatment was assessed by three consecutive vertical wicking tests on each sample. The influence of cleaning of the fiber surface before as well as after the plasma treatment was determined. The presence of fiber surface additives had a positive influence on first-time wicking. On the other hand, when the layer of surface additives is plasma treated rather than the fiber polymer surface, the treatment effect is easily washed away. Log(time) wicking curves and summed wicking height plots are introduced as a means to help the interpretation of wicking data.
References
1.
Belin, R.E. , The Effect of Corona Treatment on the Cohesion between Fibres and on their Wettability , J. Text. Inst.67, 249-252 (1976).
2.
Benerito, R. R. , Ward, T. L. , Soignet, D. M. , and Hinojosa, O. , Modifications of Cotton Cellulose Surfaces by Use of Radiofrequency Cold Plasmas and Characterisation of Surface Changes by ESCA , Textile Res. J.51, 224-232 (1981).
3.
Ferrero, F. , Wettability Measurements on Plasma-treated Synthetic Fabrics by Capillary Rise Method , Polymer Testing22, 571-578 (2003).
4.
Hesse, A. , Thomas, H. , and Höcker, H. , Zero-AOX Shrink-proofing Treatment of Wool Top and Fabric. Part I: Glow Discharge Treatment , Textile Res. J.65, 355-361 (1995).
5.
Hesse, A. , Thomas, H. , and Höcker, H. , Zero-AOX Shrink-proofing Treatment of Wool Top and Fabric. Part I: Collagen Resin Application , Textile Res. J.65, 371-378 (1995).
6.
Ivanova, V. P. , Andreevskaja, G. D. , Friedrich, J. , and Gähde, J. , Untersuchungen zum Einfluss einer Oberflä-chenmodifizierung von Fasermaterialien im nichtthermis-chen Plasma einer Hochfrequenz-Entladung auf die Adhä-sionsfestigkeit zu Epoxidharz. Part 1: Messung der Adhesionsfestigkeit , Acta Polymerica31, 752-756 (1980).
7.
Kreiselmeier, G., Faserstoffmodifizierung durch ionisierte Gase, Textiltechnik34, 73-76 (1984).
8.
Lee, K. S. , and Pavlath, P. E. , Low Temperature Plasma Treatment of Wool. II. Effects of Variables on Shrinkage and Yarn Strength , J. Polymer Sci.-Polymer Chem. Ed.12, 2087-2090 (1974).
9.
Lee, M. , Ryu, J. , Wakida, T. , and Sato, Y. , Effect of Low-temperature Plasma Treatment on Surface Characteristic and Dyeing Properties of Wool , Chemistry Express7, 241-244 (1992).
10.
Masse, P. , Cavrot, J. P. , François, P. , Lefebvre, J. M. , and Escaig, B. , Adhesion Improvement of High Modulus Polyethylene Fibers by Surface Plasma Treatment: evaluation of Pull-out Test , Polymer Composites14, 247-251 (1994).
11.
Pitt, W. G. , Lakenan, J. E. , and Brent Strong, A. , The Influence of Plasma Gas Species on the Adhesion of Thermoplastic to Organic Fibers , J. Appl. Polym. Sci.48, 845-856 (1993).
12.
Sarmadi, A. M. , and Kwon, Y. A. , Improved Water Repellency and Surface Dyeing of Polyester Fabrics by Plasma Treatment , Textile Chemist and Colorist25, 33-40 (1993).
13.
Sarmadi, A. M. , Ying, T. H. , and Denes, F. , Surface Modification of Polypropylene Fabrics by Acrylonitrile Cold Plasma , Textile Res. J.63, 697-705 (1993).
14.
Spence, P. , Wadsworth, L. , and Chihani, T. , Plasma Surface Treatment for Improved Wettability and Rewettability , in “Proc. Inda-Tec97,”Cambridge, MA, 8-10 September 1997.
15.
Stefecka, M. , Rahel, J. , and Cernak, M. , Atmospheric-pressure Plasma Treatment of UHMW PE Fibers , J. Mater. Sc. Letters18, 2007-2008 (1999).
16.
Sung-Spitzl, H. , Plasma Pre-treatment of Textiles for Improvement of Dyeing Processes , Int. DyerMay20-23 (2003).
17.
Verschuren, J. , Cold Plasma Technology for Textile Products, taking into Account their Specific Properties , in “Proc. 1st RUG-FTW PhD Symposium,”Ghent University, 5 December 2000.
18.
Wakida, T. , Lee, M. , Sato, Y. , Ogasawara, S. , Ge, Y. , and Niu, S. , Dyeing Properties of Oxygen Low-temperature Plasma-treated Wool and Nylon 6 Fibres with Acid and Basic Dyes , J. Soc. Dyers & Colorists112, 233-236 (1996).
19.
Wong, K. K. , Tao, X. M. , Yuen, C. W. M. , and Yeung, K. W. , Topographical Study of Low Temperature Plasma-treated Flax Fibres , Textile Res. J.70, 886-893 (2000).
20.
Wong, K. K. , Tao, X. M. , Yuen, C. W. M. , and Yeung, K. W. , Wicking Properties of Linen Treated with Low Temperature Plasma , Textile Res. J.71, 49-56 (2001).
21.
Wong, W. , Chan, K. , Yeung, K. W. , and Lau, K. S. , Morphological Modification of Poly(ethylene terephtha-late) Surface after Excimer Laser Irradiation , J. Text. Eng.46, 32-41 (2000).
