Post-treatment and evaluation of polyester filament cotton-like fabric

Abstract

Alkali reduction treatment was found to reach the imitation of cotton fabric and improve the wear ability of polyester fabric in this paper. Four main factors on the wearable ability were analyzed and through a set of orthogonal tests the optimal treatment parameters were received that alkali dosage of 25 g/l, handing time of 50 min, bath ratio of 1:15 and treatment temperature of 110 °C. Under the optimal conditions, samples were processed and then compared with raw ones via SEM to conclude differential appearances of fibers. Furthermore, preferential performances of the processed fabrics were analyzed by a group of tests in terms of tensile, shear and compressive properties. The experimental results proved that with the treatment of alkali, polyester fabrics could show soft handle, mild glossiness and superior texture which were in high uniformity with cotton fabrics.