Abstract
The dynamic wetting behavior of cellulose acetate, polyester, polypropylene, and wool fibers was studied using a developed sample mounting method and the Wilhelmy technique at speed of immersion of 750 цm/min. The variables investigated were fiber type, cross-sectional shapes, and denier. The results showed that wetting characteristics of various fibers were not pendent on size or shape, but were dependent on fiber type. Among the fibers studied, the wettability decreased in the following order: cellulose acetate, wool, polyester, and polypropylene. The cause of wetting hysteresis is not clearly understood. However, wool has the highest wetting hysteresis among polyester, polypropylene, and wool fibers. The results in this study showed that the time-dependent surface reorientation of polar groups at the interface played major roles in affecting hysteresis.