Electron-beam modification of textile fabrics for hydrophilic finishing

A study has been made to modify different textile fabrics such as cotton, cotton/polyester blend and nylon-6 fabrics by surface coating with a constant thickness layer of 25 μm of aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and acrylic acid (AAc). Radiation curing of surface coating was accomplished by electron beam irradiation with a constant dose of 50 kGy. Parameters affecting hydrophilicity of cured coated fabrics, namely, presence or absence of cross-linking agent and concentration of AAc in coating solution, were investigated. Properties affiliated with hydrophilicity, specifically water uptake and weight loss, before and after several washing cycles were followed up. Crease recovery angle was determined. Considerable enhancement, in water uptake as well as crease recovery angle, has been attained with increasing AAc content in solution in case of nylon-6, followed by blends and then cotton. Moreover, dyeing properties for coated fabrics, with solution containing 4 wt.% AAc, has been tested by color difference method, for basic and reactive dyes. Relative increase in color strength has been achieved. The presence of cross-linking agent in coating solution played a significant role, specifically in case of dyeing properties. Morphology of coated fabrics was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), which indicated fastness and compatibility between coating and fabrics. Correlation between structure and obtained results was given.