Application of Contact Angle Measurement to the Manufacture of Textiles Containing Microcapsules

Abstract

The efficiency of a binder to link microcapsules on a textile surface depends on the compatibility of the different interfaces of the products involved in the coating process. The choice of a binder adapted to the microcapsules was determined in this study by the comparison of the surface energy components induced by the contact angle measurement method and washing tests. It was found that a polyurethane-based binder was the most suitable to link melamine formaldehyde microcapsules. Furthermore, the adhesion of microcapsules was closely dependent on the chemical nature and structure of the textile support.

Phase Change Materials for Textile Application

“…During its fusion, the salt, noted X(Y) n •mH 2 O, is likely to undergo one of the following two reactions (Eqs. (5) and (6)).…”

“…The formation of the aminoplast shell allows the active principle to be correctly isolated from the external environment and prevents any diffusion, and provides an interesting mechanical and thermal resistance for application on textiles. This in situ polymerization allows the production of microcapsules with a relatively narrow and controlled granulometry, by controlling the different physico-chemical parameters governing the emulsion stages (shear, pH, temperature, surfactants, interfacial tension…) and membrane growth [5,6,44].…”

“…Thus, when their phase change temperatures are relatively low (between −20 and −10°C), these materials are more likely to be used for food storage, while for temperatures between 2 and 15°C, they are generally used for air conditioning, that is, comfort applications [1]. Higher transition temperatures allow these materials to be used for solar energy storage [2], in agriculture [3], electronic equipment protection [4], or textiles [5][6][7]. Thermal energy storage by solid-liquid phase change has been the subject of a census by Zalba on more than 150 existing PCMs, 45 of which are commercially available [8].…”

Controlled release of active agents from microcapsules embedded in textile structures

“…If microcapsules mixed with a binder are applied to a fabric by coating, wettability and surface free energy of microcapsules should be thoroughly considered and analyzed for the purpose of designing optimal textile formulations (Sala€ un et al, 2009). The best formulation of microcapsules should have high loading per fabric surface weight, good abrasion resistance, while not hindering active agent release and being completely harmless to human health.…”

The Manufacture of Microencapsulated Thermal Energy Storage Compounds Suitable for Smart Textile

“…Furthermore, the use of polymeric binder has some drawnbacks, since the incorporated amount should be enough to obtain permanent linkage which can alter the fabric properties such as drape, air permeability, breathability, thermal resistance, softness and tensile strength can be affected adversely as the percentage of binder add-on increases. Salaün et al (2009a) have proposed a thermodynamical method based on the comparison of the surface energy component to select the most suitable polymeric binder for melamine-formaldehyde microcapsules. They also determined that the polyurethane binder plays a main role during the thirty seconds of a cold to warm transition allowing to delay the temperature increase.…”