Pulsed UV laser and low temperature plasma modification on polyester microfibre: effect on the dyeing properties

摘要

Polyester microfibre fabrics were treated with UV Excimer Laser and Low Temperature Plasma (LTP) and then dyed with four commercially available disperse dyes of both high- and low- energy. Polyester irradiated with laser developed some kind of ripple like structures of micron size on the surface whereas sample treated with LTP produced some granules and smaller ripple. Ripples developed from either laser or LTP treatments shared the same characteristic as they are strictly perpendicular to the stress direction of the fibre. Dyeing results revealed that the dyeing rate of all dyes on polyester increased remarkably after treatments. Large improvement observed especially for half-time dyeing, T{sub}1/2. The improvement in coloration is believed to be closely related with the ripple structure since it is expected that dyes particles are captured more in the ripple structure of the modified surface area. Lower crystallinity of both laser and LTP treated samples may also be the reason for the improved dyeability. A slightly colour fastness improvement on both treated samples was also observed.