Effect of Plasma Polymerization of Hexamethyldisiloxane on Polyester/Cotton Blended Fabrics Properties

Polyester/cotton blended fabric samples were treated with atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge plasmas using hexamethyldisiloxane as a precursor to impart water repellent properties. Water repellency after plasma treatment was evaluated by spray test and Bundesmann test. Plasma treatment conferred excellent resistance to wetting with water. Additionally, discharge conditions had considerable influence on the morphology and surface chemistry of plasma-treated samples, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopic and Fourier transform infrared analyses, respectively. Moreover, durability of the plasma-generated polymer to washing was studied by subjecting samples to repeated washing cycles using AATCC Test Method 61(2A)-2006.