Production and characterization of camouflage poly(ethylene terephthalate) filament yarns during the melt spinning process

Abstract

The necessity of camouflage in the visible region has been expanded to a broad region of the electromagnetic waves, especially infrared region, due to improving of the night vision cameras. In this investigation, the production of the poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) filament yarns with appropriate camouflage properties in both visible and infrared regions of forest areas in the melt spinning process was studied. C.I. Pigment Green 7 and C.I. Disperse Orange 149 with carbon black (CB) particles were used during the melt spinning to obtain the mentioned camouflage properties. The visible and near infrared wavelength reflectances, the mechanical and thermal properties, and the washing and light fastnesses of the camouflage PET filament yarn samples were evaluated. The results showed that the use of the optimum blend content of the mentioned dyes with CB particles during the melt spinning process could make desired camouflage properties in the PET drawn fibers. Moreover, acceptable mechanical and thermal properties accompanied with good to excellent washing and light fastnesses were observed for the optimized camouflage PET filament yarns.