RADHAKRISHNAN SHANTHI AND MADHUMATHI G.
Abstract
Specialized materials are being used to develop functional sportswear to enhance performance. Polyester has many properties suitable for sportswear, but hydrophilicity is lacking in the fiber. Knitted fabric from Recycled Polyester (RPET) was subjected to plasma treatment to improve its hydrophilic properties. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of plasma parameters like distance between electrode plates, duration of plasma treatment and applied voltage on single jersey knitted fabrics. The optimal experimental conditions and their effects have been ascertained by response surface methodology using the Box-Behnken design. The optimum values were found to be electrode distance 4.5 mm, time 8 min. and 400 volts. Based on the results of the study it can be understood that plasma treatment performed with these optimal values is suitable for improving the hydrophilicity of single jersey fabrics made from recycled polyester.