The effect of hydrophobization of PA6 nanofiber layers with fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon finishes on physiological comfort properties
Source abstract
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of two hydrophobic finishing agents—fluorocarbon-based Nuva FDS and fluorine-free Ruco-Dry ECO Plus—on the performance of polyamide 6 (PA6) nanofibrous layers fabricated via needle-less electrospinning (Nanospider™) and finished using a foulard process. Both finishes significantly enhanced water repellency, with Ruco-Dry ECO Plus achieving a maximum hydrostatic pressure resistance of 7360 ± 470 mm H 2 O. Contact angle measurements averaged ∼130° across all treated samples, indicating consistent hydrophobic surface modification. Water vapor resistance (Ret) ranged from 0.81 to 1.08 Pa·m 2 /W, and air permeability values remained relatively stable between 2.98 and 2.62 L/m 2 /s. These results confirm that both agents effectively balance water resistance and breathability. Moreover, the fluorine-free Ruco-Dry ECO Plus offers a sustainable alternative without compromising functional performance. This scalable finishing approach supports the development of environmentally responsible, waterproof-breathable textiles. Future research will focus on wash durability and long-term performance under real-world conditions.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications · Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine · Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Faculty of Textile Engineering, Department of Textile Evaluation, Technical University of Liberec, Liberec, Czech Republic
Funding
the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic and the European Union
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