Effect of Low-Temperature Plasma Treatment on the Properties of a Complex Wool-Containing Material

Abstract

The article investigates a layer of felt in a complex material, which we intend as rehabilitation footwear element. The complex material consists of layers of rubber and felt, connected with polyurethane adhesive, and we design it for the manufacture of shoe-product sole. The layer of felt inside is in contact with the foot and serves as an insole. The felt was treated with low-temperature plasma (LTP) from the inside of the complex material. It was experimentally obtained the wettability index: for the complex material, containing a treated layer of felt, and a control untreated felt. The research obtained an increase in the hydrophilicity of the LTP-treated felt, which is explained by degreasing the surface, an increase in the porosity of the non-woven material ≪felt≫, as well as structural changes in the wool fiber due to plasma treatment. Plasma treatment of woolen felt layer can be recommended to increase the hydrophilicity of the surface and impart antibacterial properties to the inner (≪insole≫) surface of the complex material by applying infusions of medicinal plants, etc.