Wetting Behaviour of Surgical Polyester Woven Fabrics

Abstract

To ensure the prevention of viruses and microorganisms exchange in surgical theatre textiles must be biocompatible, comfortable, and also be able to provide a sterile field for both the patient and the working team. Wettability is one of the most important properties for surgical textiles because it enables to evaluate a barrier effect of a fabric against particle-loaded liquid. Wetting behaviour for the series of polyester fabrics (including woven of microfilament yarns), aseptic and non-aseptic, used for surgical articles is investigated in the paper. Contact angle for the fabrics was measured by sessile drop method using the Drop Shape Analysis System G10/DSA10, produced by Krüss Optronic GmbH. Distil water and salt solution (NaCl 0.9 %) were used as test liquids. Analyzed surfaces of all investigated fabrics can be considered as water-repellent. For aseptic fabrics with salt solution as a contact liquid, measured contact angles are a little bit smaller than with distil water. Time-dependent wetting behaviour of aseptic fabrics P4, P6, P8 and T1 was also investigated with the same contact liquids. The influence of gravitation force: at certain instants and of drop size on the contact angle is discussed. It is shown that all investigated fabrics are found being highly hydrophobic, especially the fabrics made up of microfilament yarns. Possibility of self-cleaning effect of the fabrics is discussed.