Effect of Plasma Density on Surface Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Wool Fibres

摘要

The effect of plasma density on the surface morphology and tensile properties of wool fibre has been studied. In this paper plasma density is considered as the ratio of active plasma species to the total gas species. Wool top was treated with Dielectric Barrier Discharge plasma at atmospheric pressure, using air. Plasma treatment of wool fibre was carried out at 2, 3 and 4 mm electrode spacing, keeping voltage across electrode constant at 4 KV and varying the treatment time as 40, 50 and 60 minutes. Scanning Electron Microscope results shows that at less spacing of electrode, the scales are diminished to a greater extent as compared to larger spacing for the same treatment time. Damage to the surface scale increases with increasing treatment time keeping electrode spacing same. Tensile properties of the plasma treated wool fibres were tested and evaluated by statistical method (V test). The results show that there is no significant difference in plasma treated and untreated wool fibres.