Evaluation of the Impact of Parylene C Deposition Method on the Functional Properties of Fabrics

Abstract

The article presents the results of research on the impact of the use of an original, innovative method of deposition of Parylene C on the functional properties of fabrics with various potential applications (e.g., thermal and chemical protective clothing, packaging, covers and others). Verification of the effects of the method used was based on interdisciplinary research taking into account the impact of coating fabrics on changes in their structure (micro-CT), surface properties (contact angle), barrier properties (water and chemical liquid wetting), electrostatic properties (charge decay), biophysical properties describing heat and mass transfer (by the Alambeta system and thermal imaging) and flammable properties. Four fabrics made of synthetic organic fibres (meta-aramid, para-aramid) and natural inorganic fibres (basalt) were selected for testing. Given the complex structure of textile substrates, the results confirmed that the two assumed thicknesses of the Parylene C coating were consistent with the actual measurements. The findings indicated that the coatings significantly reduced water and acid absorption in the fabrics compared to unmodified ones. Thermal insulation property tests revealed that coated fabrics exhibited higher thermal conductivity than unmodified fabrics. Additionally, the presence of Parylene C on aramid fabrics resulted in a modest increase in their ignition resistance.