Application of Microwave Plasma Pre-treatment in Enhancement of the Desizing Efficiency of WSP-Sized Woven PET

Abstract

This paper aims to replace the traditional alkali desizing of PET fabrics with the combination of microwave plasma treatment and water desizing. To this end, the microwave plasma pre-treatment was applied to enahnce the desizing efficiency of PET fabrics in pure water. With a 2.45GHz plasma source and a power of 450W, the 80s-long treatment was found to significantly increase the desizing rate of WSP in water due to the etching effect of microwave plasma. The SEM observation disclosed the etching effect of WSP on PET fabrics induced by plasma, and verified the complete removal of WSP on PET fabrics through plasma pre-treatment and water desizing. The test on the water contact angle revealed the contribution of plasma treatment to the improved wetting property of the sized PET fabrics. This study opens up a new way for desizing of PET fabrics that reduces wastewater discharge and the consumption of chemicals, energy and time.