Investigating the Effects of Different Repellent Agents on the Performance of Novel Polyester/Wool Blended Fabrics

Abstract

The effects of fluorocarbon finishing of hollow and solid polyester/wool were studied in order to establish the processing behavior and performance characteristics of the treated fabrics. Polyester/wool blended fabrics before and after dyeing were treated with different fluorochemicals; their liquid repellency after washing and dry cleaning was evaluated. Fabric mechanical properties were compared by measuring tensile strength and low stress mechanical properties. The results indicate that the finishing agent formulation has a great effect on the fabrics repellent properties. Studying the fluorocarbon chain re-orientation during laundering and dry cleaning revealed that each fluorocarbon has different ability to retrieve its original configuration via air drying with subsequent necessity of hot pressing to reach acceptable repellency. Also, the effect of hollow fibers on fabric mechanical properties is practically insignificant. The low stress mechanical properties indicate only relatively small differences among the samples. However, finishing with all chemicals and methods resulted in higher friction between the fibers and yarns, and in increased bending and shear rigidity, and shear hysteresis.