Influence of Absorbed Moisture on Antifelting Property of Wool Treated with Atmospheric Pressure Plasma

To determine the effect of moisture regain of wool on atmospheric pressure plasma treatment results, wool fibers and fabrics conditioned in 100% relative humidity (RH) and 65% RH were treated by an atmospheric pressure plasma jet with pure helium and helium/oxygen mixed gas, respectively. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicated that scales of wool fiber were smoothened for fibers conditioned in the 100% RH. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that carbon content decreased substantially after the plasma treatment. Surface chemical composition of 100% RH conditioned groups changed more significantly than the 65% RH conditioned groups. Water contact angle decreased significantly after the plasma treatments. In shrinkage test, plasma-treated wool fabrics preconditioned in 100% RH showed the lowest shrinkage ratios of 5% and 6%, below 8% is required for machine-washable wool fabrics according to ISO standard. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polyni Sci 113: 3687-3692, 2009