Foam application from a closed system – a study of machine and foam parameters

An attempt has been made to gain a greater insight into the interaction between foam and a moving textile substrate. The effects of changing wet pick–up, fabric velocity, liquid viscosity, foam density and mode of application on penetration have been studied. Application from a closed system makes it possible to apply an exact amount of liquid, and reflectance measurements revealed that between 10 and 60% wet pick–up the actual level of wet pick–up is of major importance. The amount of liquid available determines the likelihood of capillary transport. The results obtained in terms of fabric speed and foam density still leave questions to be answered on the mechanisms of foam flow and degradation in the textile.