By Gopinath Rout
Plasma technology in textiles for improving cloth surface properties as well as wettability, dyeability, crease residence and so on properties of fabrics for better end-use comfortable lives Plasma is a technology that changes surface structure with the help of gas temperature and chemical treatment.
What is plasma?
Plasma is any substance (usually a gas) whose atoms have one or more electrons detached when heat is applied and, therefore, ionized. The detached electronics remain in the gas volume that, in an overall sense, remains electrically neutral. Thus, any ionized gas composed of a nearby equal number of negative and positive ions is called plasma.
Plasma has 4th stage of state of matter: Solid-liquid-molecules-atoms-plasma
Conventional wet treatment is used in textile processing for fibre surfaces. These treatments are mainly concerned with energy, cost, and environmental issues. Plasma technology at low temperatures can provide the best alternative for these issues.
Plasma technology modified the chemical structure and surface properties of the textile materials.
The functional properties of the fabric can be modified by nanoscale etching of the surface using plasma gas particles. Gas commonly used for plasma treatment (helium and argon).
Types of Plasma
- Based on pressure
- Based on temperature
- Based on the power supply
Application of Plasma Technology in Textiles
- DE sizing of cotton fabrics
- Dyeing
- Dye ability of natural fibre and synthetic fibres
- Textile finish
- Biomedical
- Technical textiles
- Water repellent fabrics
- Ant felting of wools
- Flame retardant fabrics
- Non-woven
- Fabric for automobile industries
Various Applications for Textile Finishing
| Applications | Material | Treatment |
| Hydrophilic finish | PP, PET, PE | OXYGEN PLASMA, AIR PLASMA |
| HYDROPHOBIC | COTTON, PC BLENDED | SILOXONE PLASMA |
| ANTISTATIC FINISH | ROYAN, PET | PLASMA CONSISTING OF DIMETHYL SILANE |
| CREASE RESISTANCE | WOOL, COTTON | NITROGEN PLASMA |
| REDUCING FLEETING | WOOL | OXYGEN PLASMA |
| UV PROTECTION | COTTON/PET | HMDS PLASMA |
| FLAME RETARDANCY | PAN, COTTON, RAYON | PLASMA CONTAINING PHOSPHORS |
Need for Plasma Treatment.
Textile manufacturers and end users alike have been looking for ways to improve the surface properties of natural and man-made fibres. Specifically, there is a need to enhance adhesive, wettability, and dyeability. As well as to reduce material shrinkage Plasma polymerization with plasma plus is a highly effective process for applying functional nanolayers to the surface of yarns.
Plasma Spraying Process
In plasma spraying, the surface being coated is sprayed with droplets in the same way as colour spraying, in contrast to colour spraying the film material. Plasma is not liquid and must first be melted by high-energy heat sources and then sprayed onto the cold surface of the fabrics.
Plasma technology, with all its challenges and opportunities, is an unavoidable part of our future. The possibilities with plasma technology are immersed, and numerous
Plasma technology brings a new look and challenge for textile products in any sector, like safety textiles, technical textiles, automobile textiles, and medical textiles
