Surface Characteristics of Cotton/ Polyester Fabric Coated with Poly-urethane Elastomers Cured Thermally or by Using Gamma Irradiation

Abstract

IFFERENT POLYURETHANE (PU) elastomerics formulations were prepared by using 4, 4'-diphenyl methane diisocyanate, polyol (castor oil; CO), chain extender (1,4-butanediol); CE and catalyst. The prepared PU formulations were applied as coating films up on the cotton/ polyester blend fabric surface. The specimens were cured to complete the reaction of the PU spell, either thermally (140°C) or by using γ-rays at different doses (30-150 kGy). The PU layer formed up on the fabric surface was characterized by using Fouriertransform infrared (FTIR). The effects of CE percent and the used curing system on the coated fabrics properties, such as mechanical properties, thermal stability, water absorbance, crease recovery and surface morphology were investigated. The results showed that the increasing of CE percent and the irradiation dose lead to improving the tensile strength; MPa and the thermal stability, while, the elongation at break (%), crease recovery and water absorbance were decreased.