Quality and Quantity Assessment of the Water Repellent Properties of Functional Clothing Materials after Washing

Abstract

The aim of the research was to evaluate the changes in the surface properties of five functional clothing materials with water-repellent finishes (including PFC-free finish) after 1, 5, and 10 washes with three detergents. A new approach to the interpretation of the water-repellent properties of textile materials is presented, based on two techniques, i.e., the spray test method and contact angle measurements. The results showed that washing materials with hydrophobic finishes can cause significant changes in their properties, which are mainly dependent on the composition and structure of the material, as well as the type of hydrophobic finish. The PFC-free finish is the least resistant to washing. For all materials with PFC finishes, the water repellency depends on the fluorine content on the surface and fabric topography. It was also found that increasing washing frequency resulted in a gradual decrease in water repellency. The loss of water repellency below an acceptable level (Grade 3) occurred after the fifth washing for all materials. Significant differences in the interpretation of the results of the spray test and contact angle measurements were observed. Using these methods separately provides information on the changes in the surface properties of the tested materials; however, their parallel application allows for obtaining complementary data, which is important for the proper interpretation of results.

Coating formulation change leads to inferior performance of long-lasting insecticidal nets in Papua New Guinea

“…Polymer coatings are hydrophobic and this can reduce the insecticide loss during washing [ 16 ]. FC-based coating provides the fabric with an exceptional durability to water and oil repellency, that may be superior to FC-free finishes [ 13 ]. This is due to the electronegativity of the fluorine atoms and the orientation of the perfluorinated chains perpendicular to the textile fibres resulting in low surface energy and super-hydrophobicity [ 14 , 17 ].…”

“…Since 1990s, FC-based coatings dominated the textile industry due to their unique properties such as repellency to water, oil, stain and soil [ 12 ]. Non-FC-based coatings are typically acrylates, polyurethanes or mixtures thereof [ 13 , 14 ]. These are cheaper and considered more environmentally friendly.…”

Coating formulation change leads to inferior bioefficacy of long-lasting insecticidal nets in Papua New Guinea

“…This is due to the electronegativity of the uorine atoms and the orientation of the per uorinated chains perpendicular to the textile bres resulting in low surface energy and superhydrophobicity [12,15]. PFC-free nishes, which include para ns, silicones, dendrimer chemicals and nanoparticles devoid of uorocarbon compounds have a lower durability [11,16]. The reason that PermaNet® 2.0 manufactured up to 2012 (PFC-coated) have higher bioe cacy and wash resistance compared to post-2012 (non-PFC coated) is thus due to the superior durability of PFC coating resulting in a more e cient presentation of the deltamethrin crystals on the net surface.…”

“…Polymer coatings are hydrophobic and this can reduce the insecticide loss during washing [14]. PFC-based coating can provide the fabric with an exceptional durability to water and oil repellency, superior to PFCfree nishes [11]. This is due to the electronegativity of the uorine atoms and the orientation of the per uorinated chains perpendicular to the textile bres resulting in low surface energy and superhydrophobicity [12,15].…”

“…Since 1990s, uorocarbon coatings dominated the textile industry due to their unique properties such as repellency to water, oil, stain and soil [10]. Non-PFC coatings are typically acrylates, polyurethanes or mixtures thereof [11,12]. These are cheaper and considered more environmentally friendly.…”