Abstract
Artificial leathers are mainly polymer-textile composites. Ensuring an adhesive bond between the components involves surface wetting and sometimes penetration of the textile structure by the polymer. Positive pressure applied over a period of time is required to penetrate closely packed ordered arrays of fibres and penetration is advantageous. The extent of penetration can be measured by water retention in a gravita tional field or by photomicrography of thin microtomed sections. Dis placement of a polymer coating from a substrate by water is analysed into components of the surfaces forces involved and measurement of the contact angles of water on coating and on substrate is recommended as an aid to predicting behaviour.
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