Assessment of the Impact of the Surface Modification Processes of Cotton and Polyester Fabrics with Various Techniques on Their Structural, Biophysical, Sensory, and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

This article presents research on the assessment of the impact of surface modification of cotton and polyester fabrics using four techniques (flocking, layer by layer, screen printing and thermal-transfer printing) on their structural, mechanical, biophysical, and sensory properties. Depending on geometry and raw materials of the fabrics, the clothing made of them it is characterized by certain biophysical properties which are intended to protect the human body against external factors, but also against excessive sweating and overheating or cooling down. The aforementioned properties of the modified textiles were determined with: optical microscopy, microcomputed tomography, a tensile testing machine, sweating guarded-hotplate, air permeability tester, and the Kawabata evaluation system. Based on analysis of obtained results, it can be concluded that flocking reduces air permeability the most (−77% for cotton fabric and −99.7% for polyester fabric), and total hand value (−58% and −57%) and increases water vapor resistance the most (+769% and +612%) while the screen printing increases the thermal resistance the most (+119% and +156%) compared to unmodified textiles. It can be concluded that, when modifying textile substrates, the area of modification and their size on clothing products should be carefully selected so as not to adversely affect the feelings of potential wearers.

Assessment of Impact of the Surface Modification Techniques on Structural, Biophysical, and Electrically Conductive Properties of Different Fabrics

“…The deposited flock layer is antistatic, abrasion-resistant, sound-absorbing, resistant to washing and cleaning, has thermal insulation and filtration properties. A full description of the method used was presented in the authors’ previous publication [ 23 ].…”

“…Layer by layer ( Figure 3 ) is one of the most commonly used methods of surface modification in order to give them specific functional properties. Compared to other methods of surface modification, the layer by layer method has many key advantages, such as ease of use, low cost, independence from the size, and shape of the substrate [ 23 ]. Full characteristics of the layer by layer method used were presented in the authors’ previous publication [ 23 ].…”

“…Screen printing ensures high color durability and resistance to washing and abrasion. This technology is very popular as a method of decorating light clothing, such as T-shirts or pajamas, functional clothing, but it is also used to modify surfaces other than clothing textiles [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Full characteristics of the method used were presented in the authors’ previous publication [ 23 ].…”

Investigations of Three‐Layer Systems Intended for Protective Clothing for Prematurely Born Babies

“…Utility comfort consists of biophysical, sensory, and psychological comfort, with biophysical comfort being one of the most important parameters considered when evaluating clothing products. [12] Thermal comfort is a term that defines a state of satisfaction with the thermal conditions of the environment in which a person is placed. It is a state of thermal equilibrium of the body, that is, a situation when there is no need to raise or lower the temperature.…”

“…Utility comfort consists of biophysical, sensory, and psychological comfort, with biophysical comfort being one of the most important parameters considered when evaluating clothing products. [ 12 ]…”