The influence of the capacitive coupled radio-frequency discharge on flax fiber

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study of the effect of radio-frequency (RF) capacitive plasma discharge at low pressure on flax textile fiber. The study object was a standard bleached and boiled flax yarn. In the considered modes, plasma treatment does not significantly affect the cellulosic component of flax fiber. However, the results of scanning electron microscopy showed signs of etching on the samples of bleached yarn. The results of x-ray diffraction demonstrated slight increase of the proportion of the crystalline phase. This is due to selective etching amorphous sections of the fibers surface. The results of determining the lignin content showed that it is relatively resistant to the action of RF plasma discharge and plays a protective role in relation to cellulose. However, damage (etching) of the fibers surface facilitates the rapid penetration of water into the fiber; therefore, lignin passes from fiber to aqueous solutions faster. The increase of the capillarity by 2–3 times, and the increase of the colourability and the breaking load of flax yarn by 25% are the technological effects of plasma processing of flax fiber (in the considered modes).