EFFECTS OF GRAFTING WITH ACRYLIC-ACID ON REMOVAL OF OILY SOIL FROM POLYESTER FABRIC

In a series of studies on the effects of modifying textiles for soil release properties, polyester fabrics were grafted with acrylic acid to vary their surface energies while changing their bulk properties as little as possible. The surface free energies of grafted polyester fabrics were estimated using the relationship between the polar component of surface energies gamma(S)p and the peak area ratios of COONa (1580 cm-1) to COOR (1250 cm-1) by FT-IR measurements. The effects of grafting on soil release were also investigated with washing experiments using squalane, triolein, and oleic acid as oily soils. The effects of grafting on oily soil removal varied depending on the polarity of soil. Results are discussed in terms of the work of adhesion between oil and polyester fabric.