Chemical and physical properties of laser-treated poly(ethyleneterephthalate)

The effects on chemical and physical properties due to microstructuring of poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PETP) fiber surfaces by uv-laser treatment are investigated. Data are given about a slight color change at the irradiated sites of laser-treated fabrics in relation to the amount of debris deposited under ablating conditions. The debris formed under irradiation in air consists of carbonlike particles. Evidence is given for the pure pyrolytic nature of uv-laser ablation of PETP at 248 nm by using laser desorption mass spectroscopy. Chemical modification of the surface, yielding some carboxylic groups, an increased O-to-C ratio, and a small change of the crystallinity of the fiber surface is detected using x-ray-induced photoelectron spectroscopic and Fourier-transform infrared analysis.