Plasma surface treatment on nylon fabrics by fluorocarbon compounds

Nylon fabrics were treated by low temperature fluorocarbon plasmas. All of the fluorocarbon plasmas applied altered the surface of nylon fabrics to be hydrophobic and water‐repellent. The durability of hydrophobicity and water repellency was examined by measurements of the water contact angle, the water droplet rolling‐off angle, and the breakthrough water pressure after plasma‐treated fabrics were washed. It was found that the structure of starting fluorocarbon and the plasma energy input were important factors in the durability. After washing, surface dynamics were investigated on different drying conditions. It was found that chemical composition and water repellency were dependent on drying conditions because of rotation of hydrophobic segments on the surface of fabrics.