Studies Regarding the Increase in Hydrophilicity of Some Textile Fabrics through Treatment by Cold Plasma and Grafting with Vinyl Monomers

Abstract

The polyamide and polyester fabrics have been treated by glow discharge plasma and grafted with 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) in order to increase the hydrophilicity and to improve the soil release properties. The plasma treatments were carried out at different exposure times. Grafting was obtained with gaseous HEMA and with alcohol or aqueous solution of HEMA at different concentrations. The physical and chemical surface changes were studied using scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, colour measurements. The hydrophilicity was assessed through the absorption time of a water drop and the soil removal through washing by remission values.