Super water-repellent treatment of various cloths by deposition of catalytic-CVD polytetrafluoroethylene films

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commercial name “Teflon,” films prepared by catalytic chemical vapor deposition (Cat-CVD), often called “hot-wire CVD,” are deposited on various cloths of cotton, cotton denim, nylon, and polyester. After deposition on such cloths, they show super water-repellent property without impairing breathability. The whole surface of fibers of these cloths is completely covered with PTFE layers which form reticulated sharp convex–concave network structures with a size of a few micrometers or less in pitch. The super water-repellent property can be seen even at the back side of the cloths when PTFE films are deposited only at the front side.