Modification of polyester fabrics by in situ plasma or post‐plasma polymerisation of acrylic acid

In order to increase the hydrophilicities, thereby to impart soil resistance and to improve dyeability, poly(ethylene terephatalate) (polyester) fabrics were treated in low-temperature plasmas. Two alternative modifications were applied. Fabrics were directly treated in acrylic acid plasma in one investigation, while in the other they were first treated in argon plasma and then immersed in an aqueous acrylic acid bath. The plasma conditions (i.e. exposure time and discharge power) were changed to control the extent of plasma surface modification in the first approach, while the acrylic acid content and the incubation time were changed in the second procedure. The wettability, and therefore the dyeability and soil repellency, of polyester fabrics was significantly improved by both methods. The second method resulted in better dyeability and soil repellency in contrast to lower surface wettability.