Surface graft copolymerization of hydrogen silicone fluid onto fabric through corona discharge and water repellency of grafted fabric

Surface graft copolymerization of hydrogen silicone fluid (HSF) onto poly(e thylene terephthalate)(PET) fabric through corona discharge and the propert ies of grafted fabric were studied by contact angle measurement, ESCA, wate r impact penetration test, SEM and tensile strength measurement. The result s show that with corona discharge time the degree of grafting is increased. With the content of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and triallyl cyanurate (TAC) in graft reaction medium, the degree of grafting is increased, then is reduce d after passing a maximum DCP/TAC of 2/2 g per 100 mi HSF. After 0.5 min of corona discharge in the reaction medium the PET fabric exhibits a high con tact angle to water upto 127 degrees. However, the contact angle is decreas ed for a longer duration of corona discharge due to oxidation of the grafte d layer. The water repellency of the grafted PET fabric is greatly improved as compared with that of untreated PET fabric. The tensile strength of PET fabric after corona discharge grafting remains unchanged, and no damage is observed on surface morphology. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.