Improving of thermal stability and water repellency of cotton fabrics via coating with silicone rubber under the effect of electron beam irradiation

Cotton fabrics for outdoor use were coated with room-temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber (RTVSR) and its catalyst to obtain improved thermal stability and water repellency properties. The coated fabrics were exposed to different doses of electron beam irradiation as an extra curing step for the coating. The effect of RTVSR coating and subsequent electron beam irradiation on the cotton fabrics was then studied. The thermal stability was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, and surface morphologies were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties, crease recovery, gel content, swelling property, and water repellency of the fabrics were also investigated. The results showed that the thermal stability and the water repellency of the cotton fabrics were improved as a result of the coating process. Moreover, the crease recovery and swelling properties of the fabrics were enhanced, accompanied by decreases in their gel content, as a function of the increase in the electron beam irradiation dose. These findings recommend the produced coated fabrics under the optimum conditions for use in the industrial purposes as isolation sheets through the pipes connecting points, especially those that contain hot fluids.

Automated summary

The study found that cotton fabrics coated with room-temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber and treated with electron beam irradiation exhibited improved thermal stability and water repellency, while also enhancing crease recovery and swelling properties. These findings suggest that the coated fabrics could be used as insulation sheets for industrial purposes, especially in pipes carrying hot fluids.