Properties of Superhydrophobic and Acid–Alkali-Resistant Polyester Fabric Produced Using Plasma Processing

Abstract

During the processes of production, storage, transportation and use of hazardous chemicals, acid–alkali corrosive liquid spatter and leakage would cause serious casualties. In order to protect the lives and health of staff, the surface of fabrics should be treated to obtain hydrophobicity and acid–alkali resistance. In this paper, polyester fabric was used as the base cloth, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) micro-powder were used as the functional materials to fabricate waterproof and breathable fabric with good acid–alkali resistance using a method of plasma pretreatment-impregnation- and plasma-induced crosslinking. The effects of PDMS, PTFE powder and plasma-induced crosslinking on the surface and physical and chemical properties of fabric were investigated. It was found that the use of PDMS and PTFE powder had little effect on the mechanical and wearing comfort properties. However, it could significantly improve the acid–alkali resistance, as the liquid repellent rate of the treated fabric surface was higher than 80%, and the penetration index was lower than 2%.