On-Line Surface Modification of Polypropylene Fibers by Corona Treatment During Melt-Spinning

Abstract

On-line corona treatment of polypropylene (PP) fibers during melt-spinning is studied. After extrusion of pp filaments, collected fiber tow is subjected to corona treatment prior to drawing, crimping, and cutting into staple fibers, and wettability, antistatic, and friction properties of treated fibers are characterized. Corona treatment results in an average decrease of 5-10° in the advancing contact angle and of 10-25° in the receding contact angle for water on fibers. With amounts of spin finish lower than 0.2% by weight of fiber, treated fibers have considerably better antistatic properties than untreated fibers. Treated fibers have an order of magnitude lower electrical resistance and about 50% less static charge build-up during carding than untreated fibers. In addition, there is a sharp change in wetting and friction properties of fibers with corona treatment when the amount of spin finish is between 0.12 and 0.13 wt %. These effects are attributed to improved wetting of the treated fibers by spin finishes, leading to a more uniform spreading of finish agents on the fiber surface.

Wetting and Wicking in Fibrous Materials

“…In addition, there was a sharp change in wetting and friction properties of fibers with corona treatment when the amount of spin finish was between 0.12 and 0.13 wt%. These effects are attributed to improved wetting of the treated fibers by spin finishes, leading to a more uniform spreading of other finishing agents on the fiber surface [182]. Wakida and Tokino [183] investigated the effect of discharge treatments such as low-temperature plasma treatment on the surface characteristics of different textile fibers.…”

“…In recent years, surface modifications of fibers by corona/plasma treatments have opened up new possibilities in relation to fiber wettability [182]. Plasma surface treatment causes changes to a limited depth; bulk properties of even the most delicate materials remain unchanged [208].…”

Deepening Effect of Superfine Dyed Polyester by Escaping Electron-Beam Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharge Plasma

“…The adoption of green and dry chemical technology, atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma, to handle the fiber surface is one of the popular technologies. As a result of being more ingredients and concentration of active particles than corona and filamentary discharge [4]. The method is well suited for fabric surface etching and activation, so as to achieve the purpose of dyed polyester modified.…”

Laser scanning confocal microscope characterization of dye diffusion in nylon 6 fibers treated with atmospheric pressure plasmas

“…In the recent years, laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) has been used for the characterization of dye diffusion in fibers due to the fact that it has unique advantages over conventional cross‐sectioning methods 1–4. LSCM is nondestructive and thus does not need to microtome single fibers.…”