Experimental study of the cavitation impregnation process of textile materials

Abstract

The paper investigates the efficiency of the cavitation method for impregnating textile materials and compares it with the conventional immersion method. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to improve the efficiency of textile impregnation processes using special substances while preserving the structural and mechanical properties of the materials. Particular attention is paid to the influence of ultrasonic cavitation on the intensification of mass transfer processes within the porous-capillary structure of textile materials. The research employed an experimental comparative method involving the determination of the weight characteristics of samples before impregnation, after impregnation, and after excess liquid drainage. The process efficiency was evaluated using the impregnation coefficient, percentage weight gain, liquid retention index, and impregnation rate. Experimental studies were carried out using an ultrasonic cavitation unit operating at a frequency of 40 kHz. The results of the study showed that the cavitation method increases the impregnation coefficient by an average of 6.9% compared to the conventional immersion method. An increase in the penetration rate of impregnating substances into the material structure and an improvement in the material’s ability to retain the working liquid were also observed. Experimental results confirmed that, under rationally selected ultrasonic treatment conditions, no significant damage to the fiber structure of the textile material occurs. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the development of a comprehensive approach to the quantitative evaluation of the efficiency of cavitation impregnation of textile materials using integral indicators of impregnation and liquid retention. In addition, the regularities of the influence of ultrasonic cavitation on the intensification of mass transfer processes in the structure of textile materials were established. The practical significance of the obtained results lies in the possibility of applying cavitation impregnation to hard-to-impregnate textile materials, particularly in the production of flame-resistant products, protective workwear, and technical textiles. The proposed approach makes it possible to reduce the duration of the technological process and improve impregnation efficiency without deteriorating the operational characteristics of the material.