PROPERTIES OF THE COTTON FABRICS CARBOXYMETHYLATED BY VARIOUS METHODS

Abstract

Properties of cotton fabrics carboxymethylated by the following methods were examined:(1) Cotton fabrics were immersed in sodium hydroxide aqueous solution at 60°C after immersion in aqueous solution of monochloroacetic acid or sodium monochloroacetate and squeezing (conventional two baths method).(2) Cotton fabrics were heated in the mixed aqueous solution of sodium monochloroacetate and sodium hydroxide or in air at 60°C after immersion at 10°C in the mixed aqueous solution of the same composition as above (one bath method).(3) Cotton fabrics were heated in air at 140°C after padding with mixed aqueous solution of sodium monochloroacetate and sodium hydroxide (pad-bake method). Partially carboxymethylated cotton fabrics having the degree of etherification of about 5-6 mole% were prepared by these methods, and various properties examined, such as moisture regain, tensile strength and elongation, property for soiling and washing, dyeing property, colorfastness, and discoloration by perspiration.These carboxymethylated cotton fabrics had generally higher moisture regain, soil removal, dyeability for basic and cationic dyes than untreated or mercerized cotton fabric. But in the case of cationic dyes fairly large difference was found in dyeability and colorfastness according to the kind of dyes. Sample fabrics prepared by the one bath method showed higher moisture regain and dyeability for basic dye. Sample fabrics prepared by the pad-bake method had considerably low moisture regain, tensile strength, elongation and dyeability for direct and reactive dyes.