Polysiloxane softener coatings on plasma-treated wool: Study of the surface interactions

Low temperature plasma (LTP) improves the shrink-resistance of wool fabrics but impairs their softness, so different polysiloxane coatings were applied. Modifications in surface hydrophilicity and topography of fabrics and fibres have been recorded through drop test, contact angle and SEM, respectively. UP improves the deposition of the polysiloxanes which, depending on their functionalities alter the original hydrophilicity of the wool surface. Softness and shrink-resist results of the fabrics point out to a possible relationship between hydrophilicity of the wool fibre surface and the shrinkage behaviour of the fabrics. A possible mechanism of interaction between the different polysiloxane groups and the surface of untreated (UT) and LTP-treated wool is proposed.