Effects of Silicone Mixed Fluorochemical Finishes on Fabric Performance Characteristics of a Microfiber Polyester/Cotton Blend Fabric

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of chemical finishes on performance characteristics of microfiber blend fabrics. A 60% polyester microfiber/40% cotton blend woven fabric was finished by ten chemicals: three silicone softeners, one fluorochemical, and their mixtures. Performance characteristics examined were abrasion resistance, and oil/water repellency. Chemical finishes containing dimethylpolysiloxane silicone performed better in fabric abrasion resistance than other chemicals. The correlation between abrasion wear and instrumental measures of fabric hand indicated that the breaking strength loss by abrasion related negatively to the coefficient of friction. This implied that the finished fabrics with lower surface frictional coefficient (slipperier) had higher breaking strength loss by abrasion. The microfiber structure of polyester did not appear to help in oil/water repellency due to the larger surface areas of the microfibers. The fluorochemical finished fabric had the most significant improvement on oil/water repellency. The silicone-only finishes, however, did not improve oil/water repellency. When mixed with the fluorochemical, silicone finishes showed improved oil/water repellency.