Plasma Modification of Structure and some Properties of Polyethylene Therepthalate Films and Fibers

Abstract

Low-temperature plasma treatment of polyethylene therephthalate films and fibers results erosion of surface layers of the material (the effect of glow-discharge plasma of air, oxygen and helium was investigated). The speed of etching of PET films by oxygen plasma is determined from data of IR spectroscopy (0.08 μm/min at discharge power 0.3 W/cm2). Plasma erosion of the surface layers and destruction of macromolecules result in formation of a new surface with other degree of macromolecules orientation and crystallinity and to occurrence of additional functional groups. Significant changes in IR transmission spectra of treated films after the certain storage time are marked also, that, probably, is caused by relaxation processes. Consequence of these structural changes is the sharp increase of surface energy that is shown in increase of capillarity of fabrics from the PET microfibres. The important technological aspect of plasma processing is the increase of intensity of printing of such fabrics.