Development of a method for assessing the ability of self-restoration of the integrity of a polymer layer of a textile material after puncture with a sewing needle

Damage occurring during the sewing process reduces the strength and durability, as well as deteriorates aesthetic properties of the material. Coated textile materials and artificial leathers have been developed to date that are capable of self-healing the integrity of the polymer layer structure after being punctured by a sewing needle. Despite the importance of this topic, there has been no methodology to date that would allow an objective analysis of this parameter for materials with a polymer coating or to assess their ability to self-heal integrity after being punctured by a needle. This paper presents the results of developing a methodology for assessing the ability of a textile material to self-heal the integrity of a polymer layer after being punctured by a sewing needle for the purposes of designing and manufacturing clothing. This method includes the process of causing damage, methods of monitoring the self-healing process and quantitative evaluation criteria. The results obtained will allow comparing different materials and optimizing the technology of producing self-healing coatings for light industry materials, ensuring an increase in their durability and consumer properties. Comparison of the results before and after exposure allows assessing the dynamics of self-healing. The self-healing properties of fabrics with a polymer coating were studied using the developed assessment method. It was found that the studied materials have the ability to self-heal after being punctured with a sewing needle and correspond to the degree of recovery I. Samples 1c.2 and 2p.3 required additional exposure to wet-heat treatment (degree I*WHT) for recovery. The observed difference in the behavior of the studied samples is directly related to the thickness of the polymer coating.