Chemical method of surface activation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibre materials: Part 1. Study of the modifying effect of sodium hydroxide solutions and products made from quaternary ammonium salts

Surface activation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibre materials can be executed by purposeful weak surface hydrolysis and an additional number of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups that have a significant positive effect on the results of applying functional products on the surface of the fibre material is formed in the surface layer of the material as a result. It can be hypothesized that chemically active groups play the role of "anchor" groups, fixing the film of functional products on the surface of the fibres forming the fabric and also ensuring ordering of its structure. A comparison of the efficacy of the activating effect of aqueous and strongly dilute solutions of sodium hydroxide with additives of products made from quaternary ammonium compounds showed that treatment with sodium hydroxide solutions with a concentration of 10-15 g/liter at the boiling point for 10-15 min is the most favorable regime for surface activation of PET fibre material while preserving the initial strength level. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.