Abstract
Abstract In this study, vacuum oxygen plasma was applied to enhance the comfort properties of polyester/cotton (P/C) blend fabric (65/35%) for tropical climatic conditions. In addition, air and argon plasma were used to examine the aging effect by TEGEWA drop test. Taguchi method was employed to design the experiment and analyze the largest influential variable as well as optimal parameter levels. More attention was given to the evaluation of wickability, water vapour permeability/resistance, air permeability and surface characterization. Results revealed that all plasma treated comfort properties enhanced except air permeability of experimental runs at 1O2 and 7O2. Specifically, wickability of fabric increased at least by 43.25% and 37.63% in warp and weft directions, correspondingly, within 5 min of wicking time, whereas the thermal resistance reduced at least by 20.16%. The SEM images depicted the formation of cracks, grooves, nanostructures and high degree of roughness on plasma treated surfaces.
Highlights
In the textile industry, polyester/cotton (P/C) blend covers 58.45% of the world’s market share[1]
Wickability of treated fabrics increased by the range of 43.25 to 60.75% and 37.63 to 57.89% compared to untreated fabric in the warp and weft directions, respectively
In plasma treated and untreated polyester/ cotton (P/C) blend fabrics, the wicking height in the warp was higher than that of weft directions due to the difference in yarn twist. This result depicts that types of fibre and yarn property can play a crucial role in wickability of the fabric
Summary
Polyester/cotton (P/C) blend covers 58.45% of the world’s market share[1]. The P/C is the most common blend fabric and has been used extensively in apparel, home furnishing and other household applications. The main reason for this is due to its desired properties of user friendly, functional performance, aesthetic value, printability and affordability; more difficult to attain all these characteristics merely either in polyester (polyethylene terephthalate) or cotton fabric[2,3]. The polyester fibre contributes to the blend fabric by offering high thermal stability, good strength, dimensional stability, good chemical resistance and acceptable easy-care properties[5]. The polyester fibre hinders the hydrophilic characteristics of the P/C blend fabric; especially when the polyester proportion is higher than cotton[6]
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