Application of Additional Coating for Conductive Yarns Protection against Washing

Abstract

The conductive yarn is an essential component of the smart textile making the product light and comfortable to wear. Nevertheless, one of the most common problems is care that limits the use of the product. Application of additional coating to the yarn renders it water-repellent properties and allows reduction of the negative impact of water on its performance. During the research additional coatings were applied to conductive yarns, with the aim of minimizing electrical resistivity changes caused by washing cycles. Two types of coatings were applied to the yarns, they were washed and tested. The article describes changes in the electrical resistance of different conductors depending on the linear density of the yarn, the type of coating applied and the number of washing cycles. The electrical resistance of electrically conductive yarns increases with washing until they become non-conductive. The electrical resistance of non-textured yarns increases more slowly and the smaller increase is observed in thick yarns. The water-repellent silicone coating applied to yarns reduces the electrical resistance increase rate and the yarns retain their conductivity over more washing cycles.