Surface Functionalisation of UHMW Polyethylene Textile with Atmospheric Pressure Plasma

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UBMW PE) has high chemical resistance, good flexibility and remarkable strength along with low density, which makes it a good choice for lightweight textile reinforced composites. One drawback is the low melting point, limiting the possible applications at high temperatures. However its chemical structure leads to almost no chemical interactions of the interface. One way to enhance these interactions is the application of atmospheric pressure plasma. Polyethylene (PE) as yarn and in woven form was plasma treated in atmospheric air plasma generated by means of dielectric barrier discharge technique and the resulting effects on wettability, chemical composition and surface structure were studied. It was found that oxygen containing functional groups are introduced into the outer layer of the PE, thus increasing wettability and dyeability significantly. It could be shown that the changes last for at least 3 months in air without the necessity of any precautions. A degradation of the textile fibre during air plasma treatment was also observed, leading to a decrease of tensile strength and maximum elongation after more than five minutes of air plasma treatment.