Fibre surface modifying finishes

Fibre surface modifying finishes using plasma and radiation technologies... 

The performance of a soil-release finish depends upon its ability to provide a hydrophilic surface during the laundering process. Therefore any material deposited on the fibre surface that would reduce this necessary hydrophilicity should be avoided. Softeners, lubricants and other products that modify surface properties should be carefully investigated in laboratory trials before being used with fabrics treated with soil-release finishes. 

A chemical finish may enhance the absorbency of the nonwoven stmcmre by modifying the wetting performance of a fibre surface and therefore affecting the wicking behaviour. 

Enzymatic pre-treatments to protein fibres are generally concentrated on wool and silk. It is possible to remove skin residues, skin grease and vegetable matter ol wool by enzymatic degradation method. Furthermore, the wool surface can be modified, and felt free finishing with simultaneous improvement of lustre and handle of woollen fabric is possible by enzyme treatment. 

Most fibres made from regenerated cellulose such as viscose, lyocell, and Celsol are characterised by stiffness as well as a fuzzy and uneven surface that makes fabrics susceptible to pilling, even over a short period of use. In order to modify the surface properties of cellulosic fibres and fabrics and to improve their quality biotechnological approaches based on specialised enzymes are widely used. Finishing processes, employing cellulases and xylanases, can replace a number of mechanical and chemical operations, which have been applied until now to improve comfort and quality of fibres and textiles. The principle of enzyme action in the finishing process is controlled hydrolysis of cellulose, in which impurities and fuzz are removed from the surface of fibres, without decreasing their mechanical tenacity or the elasticity of the fabric. 

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