MOTIVATION

Textile finishings like hydrophobic and oleophobic treatments for water and stain repellent fabrics are of great importance for the textile industry. Therefore, suitable processes are required and further developed.

PROCESS DEVELOPMENT

Both plasma-assisted as well as conventional finishing techniques are used. Nanoscaled siloxane layers, which are covalently bonded to the fibers, show an excellent hydrophobization effect (Figs.).

INNOVATION

To obtain stain repellent surfaces, i.e. ketchup, salad oil, and red wine can be easily removed, oleophobic surfaces are required. Together with partners a novel fluorocarbon impregnation was thus examined to obtain an improved treatment at a reduced film thickness. Thus, the optic and the touch of the textiles remain unaffected.

RESULTS

• Maximum oil repellence (grade 8)
• Textile properties are maintained by nanoscaled treatments
• Long-term stable finishings

Contact

Dr. Dirk Hegemann  
+41 (0)71 274 72 68
Dirk.Hegemann@empa.ch

Dr. Axel Ritter 
+41 (0)71 274 77 82
Axel.Ritter@empa.ch