Novel Fluorinated Inorganic-Organic Finishing Materials for Nylon Carpeting

Fluorinated inorganic-organic finishing materials prepared by a sol-gel process using poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), tetraethoxysilane (TEos), and perfluoroalkyltriethoxy-silane are applied to nylon carpeting, and their performance is evaluated by means of the industry standards for water repellency, compressibility, surface friction, soil release, and flame resistance of the carpet. Surface modification is further characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The carpeting treated with the fluorinated sol-gel finishing agent exhibits higher water repellency and improved soil release and surface friction despite its low fluorine content. The fluorine component is thought to migrate to the coating-air interface of the carpet and agglomerate at the surface during the finishing process. PMAA, used as an organic component in carpeting, functions as an effective stain blocker, preventing dyeing from acid dyes. Results indicate that fluorinated sol-gel finishing agents are useful for multiple improvements in the properties of nylon carpeting.