Water and Oil Repellent Finishing of Textiles by UV Curing: Evaluation of the Influence of Scaled-Up Process Parameters
In this work, various textile fabrics were coated with silicone and fluorocarbon-based resins by photo-curing using ultraviolet irradiation. A great number of large fabric samples were impregnated by padding with commercial finishing agents and then irradiated in air with a high power, semi-industrial UV source. The add-on of various finishing agents was kept low to reduce the treatment cost. White and dyed samples of different textile composition were treated and evaluated in terms of conferred repellency, yellowing, or color changes. Most relevant process parameters were investigated, utilizing the thermal process normally adopted at industrial level as reference. The results were statistically evaluated by ANOVA using Minitab 16 software, in order to identify the most influential parameters and to evaluate the real possibility of replacing the thermal treatment with UV curing.
Synthesis and Application of Fluorine-free Environment-friendly Stearic Acid-based Oil and Water Repellent for Cotton Fabric
ABSTRACT Fluorinated compounds are exceptional to exhibit good as well as durable oil and water repellency. However, due to their adverse effect on human and ecology, these compounds are under immense pressure. In this research, stearic acid which is a long-chain bio-based fatty acid is polymerized with a bio-based cross-linker citric acid in the presence of a catalyst. Stearic acid is a fluorine-free, environment-friendly, and nontoxic compound as compared to fluorinated compounds. Optimization of various parameters such as dosage of monomers, polymerization conditions, time, and temperature was carried out. The optimized recipe treated cotton fabric exhibited appreciable oil and water repellency and contact angle as well as the additional performance properties like crease recovery, soil resistance, antimicrobial performance, and shrinkage. Furthermore, the characterization of finished fabric was also carried out by SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, 1 H-NMR spectroscopy analysis.
Improvement of the Anti-microbial Character of Woven Fabrics through Plasma Treatment
The need for high value-added multi-functional articles is essential in the nowadays competition on the textile market. We have studied the improvement of three types of MEDTECH articles, manufactured from different types of fabrics (V1-100% cotton gauze for therapeutic bandages, V2-100% cotton SOHO fabric for surgery bed linen, V3-100% PES fabric for surgical gowns). These fabrics were treated in Oxygen plasma for surface cleaning and wettability improvement. Subsequently the fabrics were treated with anti-microbial substances, such as: colloidal silver, chitosan and thyme oil. The treated fabrics presented a good anti-microbial character, quantified in our study. The plasma treatment contributed to an improved adhesion of the anti-microbial substances on the three types of fabrics. Plasma represents an innovative method for treating textiles and is characterized through eco-friendliness.