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The selective metallisation of textiles is becoming a very important process in the development of electronic or e-textiles. This study investigated the efficacy of polymer coatings for the protection of copper (Cu) conductive tracks electroless plated on polyester (PES) fabric against laundering and rubbing, without essentially affecting the physical-mechanical and optical properties of the base material. After the electroless deposition of a consistent layer of Cu onto PES, four polymers were applied individually by screen-printing or padding. The physical-mechanical characterisation of coated textiles revealed that polyurethane resin (PUR) and modified acrylate resin (AR) had little effect on the air permeability, tensile strength and breaking tenacity of the PES, as compared to silicone elastomer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and epoxy resin (ER). On the other hand, PUR and PDMS had higher abrasion resistance and photo-stability under prolonged UV irradiation, as compared to AR and ER. In addition, freshly Cu plated samples were coated with polymers, washed up to 30 cycles and characterised by measuring their electrical resistivity, determination of colour changes and the examination of the surface morphology. Based on these results, PUR presented the most suitable protection of Cu tracks on PES, with the lowest impact on physical-mechanical properties. ER is not recommended to be used for protection of Cu tracks on fabrics, due to its rigidity, low photo-stability, washing and wear durability.

A novel free-radically curable phenolic novolac resin bearing methacrylate functional groups has been synthesized by reaction of the novolac with methacryloyl chloride.

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This work explores the possibility of reducing the flammability of unsaturated polyester (UP) resin, commonly used in marine composites, by co-blending with less combustible and char-forming resins such as phenol-formaldehyde, melamine-formaldehyde and furans. The compatibility and curing properties of UP, other resins and their blends in 50:50 wt-% ratios have been have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) techniques. Based on the successful establishment of curing conditions, plaques of resins have been cast and cured. Thermal stability has been studied by thermogravimetry (TGA), whereas the fire performance evaluation was carried out by limiting oxygen index (LOI) and cone calorimtery at 50kW/m 2 heat flux. According to a fire risk assessment based on cone calorimetric data, the resole phenolic resins and their blends with UP achieved the highest fire safety rating.