Chemical Finishing of Polyester
category
Chemical finishing modifies polyester fabric surface properties after dyeing through application of functional chemical agents. Key finishes: anti-static, moisture management (wicking), easy-care (crease recovery, dimensional stability), soil release, flame retardancy, antimicrobial, and durable water repellent (DWR). Finishing bridges textile chemistry, materials science, and end-use performance engineering.
Role
Chemical finishing is the technology that transforms dyed grey fabric into functional, marketable product. Understanding the chemistry, application mechanisms, durability, and environmental profile of finishes is central to textile processing and product development curricula.
Subtopics
- Durable Water Repellent (DWR) Finishing DWR finishes reduce surface energy to <20 mN/m, causing water contact angle >130° (hydrophobic surfa…
- Antistatic Finishing and Conductivity Polyester's high surface resistivity (>10¹² Ω/sq dry) causes electrostatic charge accumulation. Anti…
- Soil Release and Easy-Care Finishing Soil release finishes reduce polyester's affinity for oily soil and improve soil removal in washing.…
- Antimicrobial Finishing of Polyester Antimicrobial finishes for polyester: silver-based (Ag⁺ ions from zeolite carriers, nano-Ag particle…
- Softening Agents and Handle Modification Softening agents lubricate fibre–fibre interfaces and alter surface tactile perception. Types: catio…
- Heat Setting in Finishing: Stenter Process Stenter heat-setting of woven polyester fabric: fabric enters pinned or clipped stenter at controlle…
- Functional Coatings: PU, Acrylate and Lamination Coating technologies for polyester: knife-over-roll (blade coating, viscosity 5,000–50,000 mPa·s); k…
- Plasma and UV Surface Treatment of Polyester Atmospheric plasma treatment (corona, DBD plasma) modifies PET surface without wet chemistry: oxidat…
- Nanotechnology in Polyester Finishing Nanofinishing of polyester uses nanoparticles (<100 nm) for multifunctional performance: TiO₂ nanopa…
- Printing of Polyester: Sublimation and Inkjet Sublimation (transfer) printing of polyester: disperse dye printed on paper → transfer printed face-…