Shrinkage properties of wool treated with low temperature plasma and chitosan biopolymer

Low temperature plasma treatments of wool modify only the cuticle surface o f the fibers, improving their surface wettability, dyeability, fiber cohesi on, and shrink resistance. The shrink-resist properties obtained with plasm a treatment do not impart a machine-washable finish, which is an important end-user demand. However, the shrink resistance of air plasma treated wool is suitably enhanced by a subsequent biopolymer chitosan application. Using a qualitative colorimetric method, chitosan adsorption is shown to increas e after treatment with air plasma. SEM observations yield information about the etching effect and chitosan adsorption. Given that both kinds of treat ments, air plasma and chitosan, are environmentally acceptable, a new ecolo gical shrink-proofing process is proposed.