Correlation Between Wettability and Cleanability of Polyester Fabrics Modified by a Soil Release Polymer and Their Topographic Structure

摘要

In this study, it was found that images scanned by a non-contact optical instrument for topographic characterisation based on the principle of chromatic aberration give sufficient information to know the exact location of soil release polymer (SRP) deposition over fabrics. Through the comparison of reflected luminous intensity histograms, it is possible to determine mathematically the zones of fabric on which the SRP molecules settle. For this study, two plain weave fabrics were manufactured in a needle band weave machine from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) filament yarns made from two different cross-sectional shaped filaments, circular and cruciform. Both the fabrics were desized and heat-set. Topographic characteristics of polyester fabrics were determined by the optical instrument before and after their impregnation with a SRP. Differences between soiling behaviour, cleanability and wettability of the fabrics before and after impregnation were revealed and discussed. It was verified that micro-topography of textiles determines the amount of SRP and its location. The results obtained correlate well with the wetting behaviour and cleanability of the fabrics studied.