Performance Testing and Research of a C0 Water-Repellent Treatment for PFAS-Free Textile Applications

Abstract

This study looked at a fluorocarbon-free water-repellent treatment on different types of polyester textiles in order to test the durability of the treatment in simulated wear-and-tear tests in collaboration with Thule Group. This research was being done in order to gain a deeper understanding in the strengths and limitations of the C0 Water-Repellent (C0WR) treatment on polyester textiles. The study was divided into two parts with the first one being experimental tests of the fabrics. The second part was a literature study, focusing on researching alternative methods to test hydrophobicity, as well as research different alternative water-repellent chemistries.

Four different polyester fabrics was used in this study, each with and without C0WR. The different fabrics were comprised of different yarns such as Fully Drawn Yarn (FDY), Drawn Textured Yarn (DTY) and Air Textured Yarn (ATY). These fabrics were tested in three environments simulating wear and tear, the Martindale machine simulating abrasion, washing machine simulating household washing and an Artificial Weathering (AW) chamber simulating the fabrics being exposed to UV-light and moisture. After AW, the samples were also tested in the Martindale machine. Before and after all of the test were conducted, the samples' hydrophobicity were tested with the help of the Water Spray Test.
The results from the experimental study showed that there was a decrease in hydrophobicity after each of the tests for all of the four different fabrics. The fabric that was noted to perform slightly better in comparison was the FDY x DTY fabric.

The literary study presented another method in testing hydrophobicity using Contact Angle (CA) measurements which is a useful test that can measure how well a fabric resists wetting.
In the literature, several different chemistries were presented as alternative solutions to a water-repellent treatment. These were paraffin based, stearic acid based, dendrimer based, nanoparticle based and OrganoClick, a company using bio-based surfactants in an emulsion to create its water-repellent. All of these chemistries could have the potential to be good alternatives to fluorocarbon-based treatments. The research showed that all mentioned chemistries exhibited good hydrophobicity, and there were even instances of exhibiting superhydrophobicity.

Popular Abstract

The regulations are slowly moving towards a complete ban against any and all Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) because of their harmful effects on our health and environment. There is a petition under review in the EU to completely ban PFAS usage and manufacturing. This has led to an increased interest in finding and testing alternatives to PFAS that can be used in all affected sectors, including a water-repellent in the textile industry. Products utilising a water-repellent technology are for example rug sacks, tents and outdoor wear, and are products that are part of our everyday life.

Using a surface treatment is beneficial in many ways. To start, surface treatments allow the fabric to breathe as they do not cover the small air pathways that exist in fabrics. Take a rain coat for example; if you're out running or biking in the rain you want a coat that protects you from the rain without trapping all that sweat inside, making you wet and cold. This is where surface treatments excel; they allow sweat vapour to pass through, keeping you dry and cool, while simultaneously keeping the rain out.

The goal of this project was to study the effects of simulated wear and tear on fabrics coated with a PFAS-free alternative treatment in order to understand its weaknesses and strengths. An interesting find was that there seemed to be an advantage for fabrics containing different textures of yarns in the lengthwise and horizontal directions. A common knowledge within the textile industry, which was also showcased in the project, is the reactivation of the water-repellent treatment using heat. Over time, you might have found that your water-repellent apparel has worsened. Instead of throwing it out, try exposing it to heat by using, e.g. a drying cabinet and see how it may improve the functionality of your equipment.

With rising regulations and the need for PFAS-free alternatives, there is an enormous need for improvement in a field where research is scarce. Many studies emphasize the need for more research. Alternative treatments may possess great qualities in one field, but end up lacking in another, like exhibiting low durability or unknown environmental effects. PFAS-free treatments for water-repellent fabrics will become a necessity in the future and supported by law, making further testing and more research into alternatives crucial for a more sustainable tomorrow.

• author: Knutsson, Ninni and Dunder, Erica
• supervisor: Baozhong Zhang; Nanny Thorman
• organization: Centre for Analysis and Synthesis
• course: KASM15 20252
• year: 2026
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Technology and Engineering
• keywords: C0 Water-Repellent, C0WR, PFAS-Free Water-Repellent Treatment, Fluorocarbon-Free Water-Repellent Treatment, Polyester Textile, Martindale, Artificial Weathering, Water Spray Test, Scanning Electron Microscope, SEM, Contact Angle, CA, polymer technology
• language: English
• id: 9222068
• date added to LUP: 2026-02-10 15:19:20
• date last changed: 2026-02-10 15:19:20