Impact of silicone products on the properties of reference polyester fabrics

The paper examined the effect of the washing and after-treatment on the properties of red, blue, and white reference polyester fabrics. Washing performed with a reference detergent at 60°C was followed by after-treatment with silicone products (A, B) from two manufacturers, both modified polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS). Untreated, washed, and washed then after-treated polyester fabrics were evaluated by spectral parameters and surface properties. Washing and aftertreatment did not reduce the whiteness of the white fabric, which can be considered a favorable property of the silicone products analyzed. The influence of the silicone products on the colour fastness of blue and red polyester fabrics was confirmed, with product B having a stronger effect than product A. It was found that the after-treatment with both PDMS products exhibited a reduction in the surface friction coefficient in comparison to washed with detergent. Finally, the colour fastness and the fabric surface kurtosis parameter (Rku) showed a difference between the blue and red polyester samples, as well as between the effects of silicone products A and B.