Improved Abrasion Resistance Through Internal Lubrication

Abstract

, The cross-linking reaction of cellulose with lauroyl and stearoyl ester is described. With increasing number of carbon atoms in the ester substituent, the reactivity and wet crease recovery decreased. There is an improvement in tear and abrasion resistance and, with stearoyl ester, a remarkable improvement (5 to 20 times) in flex abrasion resistance. The tear resistance, however, is improved only to the extent of 10% to 50%. By using a modified microscopic count technique and a polarizing microscope, it is shown that the cellulose is cross-linked. The degree of insolubility in cuprithylene diamine is proportional to the degree of cross-linking. Bulk scale application of stearoyl dichloropropanol (DCP) to two fabrics, viz, medium and superfine poplins, has been done. An improvement in abrasion resistance of about 500% to 800% and tear resistance of 20% to 50% has been recorded. The finish is stable to mild laundering, boiling 0.5 N aqueous caustic soda, and boiling 0.5% non-ionic detergent. However, boiling solutions of soap (0.5%) and soda (0.2%) hydrolyze the ester-link, though the cross-linking is still unaffected. The treated fabrics are suitable base materials for wash-wear treatment and it is possible to obtain wash-wear fabrics with abrasion resistance equivalent to or higher than the starting material. Some data on field wear trials of SDCP-treated fabrics are presented and discussed. It is concluded that the idea of providing internal or built-in lubrication by the use of three carbon cross links, with a bulky substituent at the center, may open up a new approach to enhance the abrasion resistance of cotton and other cellulosic textiles.