Vegetable oils in textile finishing applications: the action mode of wrinkle-reduction sprays and means for analyzing their performance

Abstract

The effect of different aqueous emulsions of vegetable oils on the wrinkle recovery properties of 100% cotton fabric was investigated. Six vegetable oils (rapeseed oil, olive oil, coconut oil, safflower oil, linseed oil and modified sunflower oil) with different fatty acid profiles were used. The results prove that the fatty acid profile is an important factor affecting the wrinkle recovery properties of treated cotton fabrics. In general, higher concentrations of the active agent (vegetable oil) provide better wrinkle properties for treated cotton fabrics. The results suggest that better recovery from wrinkle deformation is due to the formation of a micro-film around the fibers and yarns that reduces the friction coefficient. For analysis that better monitors the complex process of fiber relaxation after deformation, an optical wrinkle tester based on grazing light analysis was developed. The technique allows more precise scanning of textile surfaces and measuring of small increments of wrinkle recovery after a spray treatment, for example. The optical wrinkle tester offers the possibility of time-dependent measurements to follow the kinetics of wrinkle relaxation and, for the first time, gives access to kinetic profiles of fiber relaxation.