Investigation of Cu-coated polypropylene fabrics with printing and thermal spray methods

Metal Coated fabrics have numerous applications and different methods are utilized for manufacturing them. In the present study, printing and thermal spray methods were applied in order to coat Copper on polypropylene fabrics. Surface morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thickness of coated layer was measured by the use of Cold mounting method. EDX analysis revealed the presence of copper on the coated fabrics. Hydrophobicity of the coated samples increased. Also, some damage was observed on the fabrics coated with thermal spray method. Coating of Copper on the fabrics caused a decrease in tensile strength. In conclusion, thermal spray method was considered as a more suitable technique in comparison printing method. .