EXCIMER-LASER IRRADIATION OF SYNTHETIC-FIBERS AS A NEW PROCESS FOR THE SURFACE MODIFICATION OF TEXTILES - A REVIEW

A characteristic modification of the surface topography of highly abso rbing and orientated synthetic fibres was found after irradiation with several excimer laser pulses. This basic effect has the potential to affect the technical properties of the fibre, e.g. particle and coatin g adhesion or wetting properties, as a new physical treatment of texti les in contrast to the common addition of chemical agents or wet-chemi cal preprocessing. An overview is given of the dependence of the prope rties of the surfaces generated on laser parameters and material const ants. Experimental observations are compared to the basic understandin g of laser-polymer interactions and a thermomechanical model is report ed which has been published recently and interprets the experimentally observed surface modification as the generation of dissipative struct ures. Examples of textile applications and possible concepts of indust rial irradiation procedures for yarns and moving fabrics are discussed . A pilot irradiation plant has been installed recently, and the basic layout as well as first experiences are reported.