THIN FILM ALUMINIUM COATED COIR FIBERS DEPOSITED BY MAGNETRON SPUTTERING

The present paper describes the process of magnetron sputtering of Aluminium on virgin coir fiber materials, analysis of the metal coated coir fibers by SEM. The investigations evince that the coated aluminium particles are crystalline and these particles are physically absorbed onto the coir fiber surface. The physical and chemical properties of the coir fibers are markedly different from those of the uncoated coir fibers. The aluminium coated coir fibers are tested for hydrophobicity and showed a significant water repellent property. Adhesion of coated coir fibers is tested by washing the samples for several times and the results show a little decrease in water repellency factor after each period of washing.