SURFACE STRUCTURING OF SYNTHETIC-FIBERS BY UV LASER IRRADIATION .1. PHENOMENOLOGICAL REPORT

A modern technique for a controlled surface modification of synthetic fibres consists of irradiation with a pulsed UV laser, which can be us ed to execute submicrometre surface treatment on polymers. Many types of synthetic fibres, e.g. poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyamides and aramides, show a characteristic surface modification when irradiated by ArF and KrF lasers. The originally smooth surface of these fibres c hanges its morphology to a rather regular roll-like structure perpendi cular to the fibre axis after this treatment. A phenomenological repor t on the dependence of structure formation on polymer and laser condit ions is given.