Effect of Washing and Subsequent Heat Treatment on Water Repellency of Silk Fabric Treated with Fluorocarbon Resins

Silk fabric treated with fluorocarbon resins (Asahi Guard AG-7005 and AG-E061) were washed and subsequently heat treated varying the washing cycles and the temperature. After the processing, the water and oil repellencies, and contact angle to water were evaluated. The water and oil repellencies decreased by the washing and recovered by following heat treatment. Also ESCA measurement was carried out to investigate the surface chemical composition of the treated fiber. The $F_1s$ intensity of the treated fabric decreased by the washing and recovered by the subsequent heat treatment. On the other hand, the $O_1s$ intensity increased by the washing and decreased by following heat treatment. From the results, it is clear that change of the water and oil repellencies of the silk fabric treated with fluorocarbon resin occurred by the washing and subsequent heat treatment. Considering a change of the water repellency of the silk fabric treated with fluorocarbon resin, it seems likely that the fluoroalkyl group of the fluorocarbon resin rotates from surface to inside of the fiber by the washing to adapt to the hydrophilic circumstance, and the orientation of the fluoroalkyl groups of the resin disturbed by the washing recovers the orientation to the fiber surface after the subsequent heat treatment.