Influence of Storage Time on Functional Bulk Properties of Low‐Pressure Oxygen/Argon Plasma Modified Polypropylene Fabric

ABSTRACT Hydrophobic polypropylene fibers are frequently used in sports textiles as base layer material. In this study polypropylene (PP) fabric was treated in oxygen/argon plasma with the aim to impart the fabric with more hydrophilic surface properties. The impact of the modification was monitored for time dependent changes during a storage period of 33 days. The electrical surface resistance lowered from initially 53 × 10 11 Ω–5 10 11 –8 × 10 11 Ω after plasma activation and increased during 33 days storage–33 × 10 11 –38 × 10 11 Ω. The carboxyl group content increased from 0.5 mmol kg −1 to 1.1 mmol kg −1 . This increase can be explained with the chemical reorganization of oxidable functional groups as well as a redistribution of carboxyl functionalities groups near to the fiber surface. Bulk fabric properties water retention, moisture content and wicking were monitored over the period of 33 days. Changes in bulk properties were minimal as the modification mainly affected the fabric surface. The results indicate a time dependent aging of the oxygen plasma activation and underline that the final result of a plasma functionalization of PP based garment should be reassessed after a reasonable period of storage.