HYDROTARIC: ITS EFFECTIVENESS AS HYDROPHOBIC COATING FOR FABRICS

Abstract

The textile industry is a large contributor to global waste, which negatively affects the environment. As a solution, this study focused on developing Hydrotaric, a hydrophobic coating for polyester, cotton, and linen made from taro leaves, beeswax, and eggshell. The coating aims to protect fabrics and extend their lifespan. In this experimental research, each type of fabric was grouped into two: 1) fabrics without hydrophobic coating, and 2) fabrics coated with different layers of Hydrotaric. All fabrics were exposed to varying amounts of water for a fair comparison. Hydrotaric’s effectiveness was measured based on parameters such as water repellency—determined by the contact angle using ImageJ—and water penetrability, assessed using a Likert scale. The results revealed that polyester, cotton, and linen coated with Hydrotaric had a contact angle exceeding 90°, which means they exhibit hydrophobic properties. Furthermore, the coated polyester and linen sheets were highly resistant to water penetration, while the coated cotton sheets were completely impermeable. In contrast, fabrics without Hydrotaric had a contact angle of less than 90° and were highly penetrable by water. This study concluded that there was a significant difference between the fabrics with and without Hydrotaric, which means that Hydrotaric was capable of making fabrics hydrophobic. However, its effectiveness varied depending on the type of fabric it was applied to.