DESIGNING SURFACE-PROPERTIES OF TEXTILE FIBERS BY UV-LASER IRRADIATION

The irradiation of polymeric material by pulsed UV lasers generates ch aracteristic modifications of the surface topography of the polymer be side other effects. The resulting surface properties may have an impor tant impact in textile processing, as they can affect technical proper ties of synthetic and even natural fibers, e.g. particle and coating a dhesion or wetting properties, in a dry process. An overview is given over microscopic and macroscopic properties of the generated surfaces in dependence on laser parameters and material constants. Various unde rstandings of the genesis of the characteristic geometry and structure of irradiated surfaces are compared to experimental observations from polymer films and a number of textile fibers. With respect to specifi c fiber properties the experimental data give evidence of cooperative transport phenomena in a superheated polymer as the prime driving forc es of the effect.