Surface Resistivity Behavior of Plasma Treated and Plasma Grafted Cotton and Polyester Fabrics

Abstract

Cotton and polyester fabrics are treated with radio-frequency plasma (in air) at different power levels and time intervals, and moisture content and surface resistivity behavior are investigated. Plasma treatment lowers the moisture content of cotton and enhances that of polyester. The surface resistivity of plasma treated cotton is affected by both power level and treatment time, and the surface resistivity of polyester is dramatically reduced after plasma treatment. The two fabrics are subjected to further plasma initiated grafting of acrylamide and acrylonitrile. Polyester has a moisture con tent of up to 3% after plasma initiated grafting. The surface resistivity of cotton is somewhat lowered, whereas that of polyester is drastically lowered after grafting.