Dimensional and Surface Properties of Plasma and Silicone Treated Wool Fabric

To improve the dimensional properties of wool fabric, two kinds of silicone polymers are applied to plasma pretreated wool. With this treatment, hygral expansion increases slightly but still remains smaller than that of silicone treated wool without the plasma pretreatment. The wrinkle recovery angles of wool increase with the treatment, and the values of fabric treated with plasma and silicone polymers are higher than those with no plasma pretreatment. In addition, the harsher handle imparted by plasma modification is improved with silicone treatment. The results show that the plasma pretreatment modifies the cuticle surface of the wool fibers and increases the reactivity of the wool fabric toward silicone polymers. Therefore, the combination of plasma and silicone treatments can improve the dimensional stability, wrinkle resistance, and performance properties of the wool. Surface smoothness of the treated fabrics as measured with a new evaluation system shows good correspondence with results from a KES-FB4 surface tester.