Surface Modification of Textiles by Glow Discharge Technique: Part II: Low Frequency Plasma Treatment of Wool Fabrics with Acrylic Acid

In this study, wool fibers arc modified by low frequency plasma polymerization of acrylic acid regarding to its' hydrophobic character due to cuticular cells at their surfaces. Variables of the plasma glow discharge processes were power (40-100 W) and exposure time (5-45 min). The effect of plasma modification in the performance properties of wool were investigated on the basis of hydrophilicity of wool, average wrinkle recovery angle, and breaking strength. The surface chemical structures of fabrics were examined with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The hydrophobic wool fabric became hydrophilic after all plasma treatments except one (40W-5 min). Average wrinkle recovery angle of the treated fabrics were between 157 and 178, while that of untreated fabric was 180. The treated fabrics had a little bit lower angles according to the untreated fabric.. However, even the lowest value as 157 means that the fabric has a good crease resistance property. The breaking strengths of fabrics were increased up to 26% after the plasma treatments. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 116: 1545-1551, 2010