Drying and Heat Treatment of Fabrics with Polyurethane Coatings

Results from research on the drying kinetics of polyester fabric with a microporous polyurethane coating are presented. Fabrics with a polyurethane layer <0.5 mm thick dried at a constant drying rate and were desiccated after 180 s. Two characteristic parts on the kinetic curves could be identified if the coating thickness was increased to >0.5 mm, i.e., a period of constant and decreasing drying rate and a period without preheating. Fabric with a polyurethane coating 0.7 mm thick was dried after 240 s. A reasonable temperature and drying time depending on the thickness of the applied polyurethane composite were recommended based on the experimental results.