Electroimpregnation of yarns and fabrics with nonwetting liquids

From the engineering point of view, it is attractive to finish fibers and fibrous materials with water-based solutions. However, coating or impregnation of hydrophobic fibrous materials with these liquids is difficult to achieve. In this paper, we consider electrowetting phenomenon as a promising method to fill the materials with nonwetting liquids. Theoretical models demonstrate the effect of applied electric field on impregnation efficiency. Planar fibrous sheets and yarns with interlaced wires are theoretically considered as examples of typical fibrous materials. We estimate the electric field needed to pull the liquid into the pores. Kinetics of forced impregnation into yarns is shown to be faster as compared to planar materials. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.