The effects of HMDSO plasma polymerization on physical, low-stress mechanical and surface properties of wool fabrics

This work is mainly focused on the characterization of physical, low-stress mechanical and surface properties (such as bending rigidity, shear rigidity and air permeability) of plasma coated wool fabrics. A thin film was deposited on fabric samples by means of plasma polymerization of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) and differences between such plasma-treated and untreated fabrics were evaluated, analysing possible influences of operating conditions (particularly discharge power and deposition time) on the trends of the studied properties.