Easy Care Finishing Research Articles

Synthesis of Stearyl Alcohol/Polyethylene Glycol Hybrids as Water-Repellent Finishes for Cotton/Polyester Blended Fabric

AbstractNowadays, developing and innovation of new finishing agents that are cost effective, efficient, durable, and safe for the consumer as well as the environment are greatly required by the textile manufactures. In that concern, new stearyl alcohol/polyethylene glycol (SA/PEG) hybrids were synthesized, characterized, and applied as textile finishes to impart cotton/polyester fabric with water repellency. Such hybrids were synthesized by reaction of SA with PEG of molecular weight 1000 or 4000 Da in the presence of ammonium persulfate (APS) as initiator. The optimum conditions of the synthesis reaction are: APS/PEG, 20%; PEG/SA, 15%; reaction temperature, 80 °C and reaction time, 45 min. The synthesized hybrids are self-water dispersible that form oil-in-water stable emulsions. The results indicated that treating cotton/polyester fabric with easy-care finishing formulation containing 60 g/L of dimethyloldihydroxyethylene urea as a cross-linker, and 60 g/L of any of such hybrids emulsions imparts the treated fabric with water repellency, softness, and stiffness properties. Moreover, increasing the PEG molecular weight from 1000 to 4000 Da leads to a reduction in extents of softness and contact angle along with an enhancement in stiffness of treated fabric. Furthermore, the prepared hybrids emulsions-treated fabric samples are durable up to five washing cycles. The FTIR analysis confirmed the chemical structure of the synthesized SA/PEG1000 hybrid. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed that the particles size of SA/PEG4000 hybrid emulsion is in the range of 34–70 nm and reaches to 185 nm in case of the SA/PEG4000 hybrid emulsion. The surface of SA/PEG1000 hybrid emulsion-treated fabric was characterized via scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Simultaneously Dyeing and Durable Press Finishing of Cotton Fabric

Cotton is the most widely used cellulosic material in the textile industry, especially for apparel purposes but, has a tendency to wrinkle badly, degrading its aesthetic value and have poor smoothed drying properties. Dyeing and crease resistance finishing process are applied to improve the wrinkle resistance and its aesthetic value respectively. Conventionally, dyeing and durable finishing of cotton is conducted separately by dyeing cotton first, and then finished with a cross-linking agent. However, these traditional processes are time and chemical consume processes. Many researchers have attempted to combine dyeing and easy-care finishing process in to one step. The challenge was difficult to produce fabrics that have deep shades, good Colour fastness and excellent crease recovery performance simultaneously. Hence, the aim of this work was to conduct combined dyeing and easy-care finishing of cotton fabrics with reactive dyes, citric acid and fibroin solution using pad–dry–cure methods. In this work, fibroin is used as an additive to enhance the degree of cross-linking and as a cat ionizing agent to improve the exhaustion of the dye. The parameters were investigated and optimize with respect to colour strength, colour fastness and mechanical properties of the treated fabric. The efficiency of combined dyed and finished fabrics with reactive dye, citric acid and fibroin has been studied. Better colour strength, crease recovery angle, breaking strength, and fastness properties were obtained as compared with conventional process. When the concentration of fibroin increased the K/S values, colour fastness properties, and crease resistance properties were improved.

Easy-Care Finishing of Cotton Fiber with DMDHEU - Crosslinking Agent for High Crease Recovery Angle and Low Washing Shrinkage Properties

Easy care finishing of textile materials is one of textile chemical finishing processes to make cellulosic textile materials crease free and dimensionally stable in its service life or during wear. Woven and knitted cellulosic textile fabrics are totally submerged in DMDHEU crosslinking agent with the concentration of 35 – 60 g/l and 30 – 50 g/l for woven and knitted fabrics respectively. In this treatment magnesium chloride is used as catalyst. Then, drying at 110 °C and curing at 150 °C for 3 min. This study shows the relationship between different level of concentrations of DMDHEU and catalysts on different textile properties such as CRA, strength and abrasion loss, washing shrinkage and stiffness. IR analysis also used in the research work. In this finding, in general, crease recovery angle - CRA, abrasion loss, stiffness increases as the concentration of DMDHEU and the catalyst increases whereas air permeability and water capillary rise, washing shrinkage decreases in woven cotton fabric. On the other hand, CRA, abrasion loss and air permeability as the concentration of DMDHEU and the catalyst increases whereas the wales and course washing resistance and water capillary rise diminished in knitted fabric.

Performance Evaluation of Anti Pilling and Easy-Care Finished Rayon and Rayon/Cotton Satin Fabric

ABSTRACT Anti-pilling and easy care (resin finish) are the two most common finishes of Textile. In this paper performance of combined anti-pilling and easy-care finish of 100% rayon and 50:50 rayon/cotton without singed satin fabrics for home textile were evaluated. For this study four factors, namely, fabric blend ratio, concentration of Appretan N9211, Arkofix NF and curing method were selected. Fabric blend ratio and curing method were tested at two levels, whereas the concentration of Appretan N9211, Arkofix NF was tested at three levels. The performance of the finish was evaluated by testing eight response variables, namely, pilling before and after wash, dimensional stability, tear strength, Berger whiteness, yellowness index, smoothness appearance and light fastness. The study revealed that a recipe containing 100 g/l of Appretan N9211, 100 g/l of Arkofix NF and normal cure (at 150°C for 3 min) improved the pilling, dimensional stability, and smooth appearance and tear strength improved. However, the reduction in Berger whiteness and a minimum increment in yellowness index were observed. The light fastness of the fabrics, however, did not change significantly.

Assessment of Some Physicochemical Properties of Cellulosic Fabric Esterified Using Varying Volume of Jatropha curcas Seed Oil

This paper presents the results of the assessment of some physicochemical properties of cellulosic fabric esterified using varying volume of Jatropha curcas seed oil. The oil was extracted using Soxhlet apparatus under reflux with hexane as solvent. The percentage yield and moisture content was 47.25% and 0.56% respectively. The fabric (10 cm x 10 cm and 21 cm x 2.5 cm) was identified to be cellulose; it was subjected to purification processes before esterification. The purification processes are scouring, bleaching and mercerization, after which the fabrics were esterified using 10 cm3 through 60 cm3 of oil. The results of esterification gave improvement in dry and wet crease recovery angles, and yarn twist. The highest values of dry crease (130º warp and 122º weft), wet crease (74º warp and 68º weft) and yarn twist (25 TPI warp and 23 TPI weft) were obtained with 50 cm3 of oil. The unesterified (control) fabric recorded lower values of dry crease recovery angles (50º warp and 45º weft), wet crease (37º warp and 35º weft) and yarn twist (14 TPI warp and 12 TPI weft). These revealed that esterification is the reason for the observed improvements and was generally better in warp direction than in weft direction. This may be attributed to the difference in the fabric construction. There was increase in bending properties but did not optimize within the volume of oil used. The air permeability and percentage water imbibition was reduced compared to the control fabric; revealing a structural modification and the formation of a hydrophobic ester bond. This may be an indication that the esterified fabric will be more resistant to the formation of mildew during storage. Hence the seed oil of Jatropha curcas is recommended for easy care finish in textile industries.

Investigation of Low Formaldehyde Easy-Care Textile Finishes on Dyed Cotton Fabric

Crosslinking of cellulose is considered a necessary process in creating anti-wrinkling cotton fabrics. In the recent years, the concern of buyers regarding the wrinkle-resistant fabric has increased the demand of easy-care finishes. Formaldehyde based easy care finishes are carcinogenic but still used in the textile industry. Low formaldehyde reagents are being developed and tested to replace formaldehyde based easy care finishes. In this research the low formaldehyde easy care finishes; Fixapret ECO and Alkaknit WFR were investigated for their effect on color fastness to crocking, tear strength, tensile strength and durable press rating. Findings of the research showed that the there was a subsequent decrease in tensile and tear strength as compared to original fabric with the increase in resin concentration on both type of dyes. From the results we can say that higher the resin concentration, better the washing durability. This is due to the fact that resin decreases the chance of fiber chain displacement. The fabric with navy blue dye displayed much better performance and compatibility with non-formaldehyde resins as compared to turquoise blue dye.

Statistical Modeling of Tear Strength for One Step Fixation Process of Reactive Printing and Easy Care Finishing

Statistical Modeling of Tear Strength for One Step Fixation Process of Reactive Printing and Easy Care Finishing

Development of water and energy efficient environment friendly easy care finishing by foam coating on stretch denim fabric

Nowadays, intensive use of technology during textile manufacturing is responsible for making the processes more energy intensive. Most of the countries in the world are also facing shortage of pure drinking water. During conventional textile processing such as padding technique, high amount of water is needed to dissolve and apply the required chemicals onto the fabric for the desired performance. The excess usage of water is responsible for the increase in the processing cost as lengthy drying step is needed. In addition, available drinking water is reduced and enormous water effluent is also generated. In this research new environment friendly, formaldehyde free, easy care finishing process is developed by low pick up foam coating technique for stretch denim. The foam stability of the easy care finish was successfully improved by optimizing the thickener and foaming agent. Treated fabric performance was assessed by measuring the crease recovery angle, dry and wet rubbing fastness, shade change after washing, tear strength retention, stretch % and elongation %, stiffness, air permeability and anti microbial. Cost, energy and water efficient foam coated fabric exhibited similar and in some cases improved results as that of padded fabric.

A novel photo-grafting of acrylamide onto carboxymethyl starch. 1. Utilization of CMS-g-PAAm in easy care finishing of cotton fabrics

The photosensitized grafting of vinyl monomers onto a range of polymeric substrates has been the subject of particular interest in the recent past. Carboxymethyl starch (CMS)-poly acrylamide (PAAm) graft copolymer (CMS-g-PAAm) with high graft yield was successfully prepared by grafting of acrylamide onto CMS using UV irradiation in the presence of the water soluble 4-(trimethyl ammoniummethyl) benzophenone chloride photoinitiator. CMS-g-PAAm with nitrogen content of 8.3% and grafting efficiency up to 98.9% was obtained using 100% AAm, a material: liquor ratio of 1:14 and 1% photinitiator at 30°C for 1h of UV irradiation. The synthesis of CMS-g-PAAm was confirmed by FTIR and Nitrogen content (%). Surface morphology of CMS and surface morphological changes of CMS after grafting with AAm were studied using SEM. Thermal properties of both CMS and CMS-g-PAAm were studied using TGA and DSC. To impart easy care finishing to cotton fabrics, aqueous formulations of: CMS-g-PAAm, dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea (DMDHEU), CMS-g-PAAm-DMDHEU mixture or methylolated CMS-g-PAAm were used. Cotton fabrics were padded in these formulations, squeezed to a wet pick up 100%, dried at 100°C for 5min, cured at 150°C for 5min, washed at 50°C for 10min and air-dried. CRA (crease recovery angle) of untreated fabrics and fabrics finished with a mixture of 2% CMS-g-PAAm and 10% DMDHEU or methylolated CMS-g-PAAm (10% formaldehyde) were: 136°, 190°, 288° respectively. Increasing the number of washing cycles up to five cycles results in an insignificant decrease in the CRA and a significant decrease in RF (releasable formaldehyde) of finished fabric samples. The morphologies of the finished and unfinished cotton fabrics were performed by SEM.

SA/TDI/PEG adducts as water repellent finishes for cotton/polyester blended fabric

Abstract New SA/TDI/PEG adducts were prepared by reacting mixture of stearyl alcohol (SA) and polyethylene glycols (PEG’s 400, 1000, 2000, and 6000 Da) with 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI). The optimum conditions of synthesis reaction are: PEG/SA, 20%; TDI/SA, 20%; reaction temperature, 100 °C and reaction time, 90 min. The potential application of such prepared adducts as water repellent finishes for cotton/PET fabric was examined by incorporating of 40 g/l of these adducts emulsions in different easy-care finishing formulations. Results obtained indicated an enhancement in both the water repellency as well as softness properties along with stiffness properties of treated fabric. FTIR analysis confirms the SA/TDI/PEG1000 adduct chemical structure while the TEM image of its emulsion shows that the emulsion of particle size ranges from 2 to 54 nm. Moreover, the surface of SA/TDI/PEG1000 adduct treated fabric was characterized via scanning electron microscope (SEM). Except for SA/TDI/PEG400 adduct, the prepared adducts treated fabric show durability to washing up to 10 washing cycles.

Investigation into the Effect of Extended Laundering on the KES-F Mechanical Properties of an Easy Care Treated Cotton Fabric

The effect of extended laundering on cotton fabric treated with Dimethylol dihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) easy care finish was investigated and the fabric characterised by crease recovery performance and the Kawabata Evaluation System for Fabrics (KES-F). The KES-F results indicated that the mechanical handle properties of the DMDHEU treated cotton fabrics were affected by both the levels of application of the DMDHEU easy care finishes and the stress relaxation of the fabrics in aqueous conditions.

Innovative Technology for Multifunctionalization of Cotton Fabric through Cellulase Biotreatment, Reactive Dyeing and Easy Care Finishing

Innovative Technology for Multifunctionalization of Cotton Fabric through Cellulase Biotreatment, Reactive Dyeing and Easy Care Finishing

Investigation into the removal of an easy-care crosslinking agent from cotton and the subsequent regeneration of lyocell-type fibres

Dimethylol dihydroxyethylene urea (DMDHEU)-treated cotton fabrics were treated with alkali or alternatively acid followed by alkali for increasing time periods, and their effectiveness in removing the crosslinking agent was investigated by surface (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) analysis, bulk analysis, crease recovery angle performance and solubility in specific solvents. The cellulose yield after the chemical stripping processes was established and the effect of the acid and alkali treatments on the degree of polymerisation of the resultant cellulose determined. Surface and bulk analyses and solubility tests suggested that alkali alone could not remove the DMDHEU from the crease-resist-treated cotton fabric. However, a sequential acid/alkali treatment effectively removed the easy-care finish from the cotton fabric and produced a commercially viable yield of cellulose.

Optimisation of concentration of ingredients for simultaneous dyeing and finishing using response surface methodology

In the present study, simultaneous reactive dyeing and easy care finishing of cotton with a non-formaldehyde and environment-friendly compound (citric acid [CA]) was successfully optimised using a statistical model. An optimised recipe was formulated based on the half factorial central composite design and numerical optimisation solution by Design-Expert 6.0 software. The optimised conditions were investigated for the concentration of CA, catalyst, reactive dye, alkali and urea. Evaluation of the recipe was made with respect to K/S, percent fixation of reactive dye, dry crease recovery angle and tensile strength. The simultaneous dyeing and finishing using theoretical optimised recipe was carried out and performance of the sample was compared with the sample using conventional two-step dyeing and finishing process.

Innovative Technology for Multifunctionalization of Cotton Fabric through Cellulase Biotreatment, Reactive Dyeing and Easy Care Finishing

INNOVATIVE technology for preparation of multifunctionalized ….. cotton fabrics with high technical performance was established. The innovation entailed the following consecutive sequence: cotton fabrics were subjected to cellulase biotreatment followed by reactive dyeing then easy care finishing treatment. pH was adjusted at 7 before commencing dyeing and finishing. No washing or drying was involved in the sequence. The so obtained fabrics displayed high technical performance as monitored by color strength, wrinkle recovery angle, retained strength in addition to softness and smoothness. Anchoring the enzyme to the cotton fabric ought to be taken as one of the reasons accounting for such high performance. It is believed that the enzyme protein molecules are fixed and immobilized within the molecules structure of cotton via their attachment to the cellulose hydroxyls by the finish molecules. The latter acts as bridges connecting the protein molecules of the enzyme with the cellulose macromolecules of the cotton fabric.

Durable press finishing of cotton fabrics: An overview

Durable press (DP) or easy care finishing is almost always used for cotton fabrics or textiles with a high content of cellulosic fibers. This finish provides resistance against shrinkage and improved wet and dry wrinkle recovery to cellulosic textiles. Inhibition of easy movement of the cellulose chains by crosslinking with resins/polymers is the mechanism of a DP finish. Initially, derivatives of urea such as urea-formaldehyde and melamine-formaldehyde resins were used. Environmental concerns and the potential danger of formaldehyde led to the introduction of formaldehyde-free finishes. Among them, polycarboxylic acids such as 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acids and citric acids are the most promising chemicals. To enhance the flexibility, tensile strength and whiteness of the easy care finished textiles, novel finishing agents have been recently considered; for example, ionic crosslinking, polyamino carboxylic acids and non-ionic polyurethane, as well as employing nano-materials as the catalyst or co-catalyst. The possible application of the easy care treatment with other functional finishes, mainly antimicrobial, flame retardancy and water–oil repellency, has been also been focused upon.

Development of zero formaldehyde easy care finishing system by using nano titanium dioxide with citric acid and its impact on physical properties

The Performance of nano TiO2 with citric acid cross-linker was assessed by using pad-dry-cure method on cotton fabric. Significant increase in crease recovery performance was observed which was previously only associated with the lengthy ultraviolet irradiation process. The optimum amount of only 0.1 % nano TiO2 was needed with the citric acid to exhibit significant increase in easy care performance of the fabric. Typically, application of a cross-linker to cellulosics will impart a deleterious effect on the softness of the fabric; however, incorporation of nano-TiO2 with the citric acid cross-linker significantly improved the softness of the fabric which was reflected in the mean deviation of coefficient of friction (MMD) and interyarn friction (2HG5) KES-F values. In addition, there was improvement in tensile strength retention of the fabric as well.

A study on easy-care laundering of linen fabrics

Linen fabrics are known for their superior comfort properties over fabrics of other origins. However, they have a very high tendency to wrinkle during use and laundry. In order to overcome this problem, easy-care finishes are applied on linen during or after fabric production. These chemicals are partially released during use and washing. Moreover, strengths of fabrics are affected negatively. Increasing ecological concerns and public awareness bring the need for an environmentally friendly alternative process. Delicate washing may decrease the number of wrinkles on fabrics but the functions used in the new-generation washing machines regarding the wrinkle reduction do not provide the expected results on linen fabrics. In this study, the wrinkling behavior of linen fabrics encountered during washing action in washing machines with steam generators is improved by selection of proper levels of processing parameters, including temperature, rate of mechanical action (ED), revolution per minute (rpm) and water amount applied during laundering. In order to further improve the wrinkling behavior of linen fabrics while still maintaining the gentle washing action, steaming steps were inserted into the laundering process between the adjacent laundering steps. The shrinkage and wrinkling characteristics of laundered linen fabrics were measured and analyzed. The best four profiles amongst others were chosen, and will be used for the development of a laundering process specializing in gentle washing linen products.

Surface and bulk chemical analysis of the durability of an easy care finish on cotton

The wash durability of the easy care finish Dimethylol Dihydroxyethylene Urea (DMDHEU) on cotton fabric under ISO 105 CO6 and CO9 test conditions and extended domestic laundering conditions was investigated by surface and bulk sensitive techniques, in particular X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, elemental analysis and crease recovery angle performance. The presence of the finish was detected at the fibre surface through the N (1 s) photoelectron signal and saturation of the fibre surface with finish was demonstrated. The stability of the DMDHEU to ISO 105 CO6 and ISO 105 CO9 washing and domestic laundering was investigated and the durability of the DMDHEU finish on cotton demonstrated. The type of cross-linking between the DMDHEU and the cellulosic polymer chains was studied and related to the crease recovery performance. The implications for recycling of the treated fibre via fibre regeneration are discussed.

Improving easy care properties of cotton fabric via dual effect of ester and ionic crosslinking

To enhance the easy care finishing properties of cotton fabric along with maintaining its mechanical properties, a new route based on ionic crosslinking was employed. In this research work, pre-cationized cotton fabric was crosslinked using ammonium citrate in presence of sodium hypophosphite at 180°C for 90s. The effect of cationization level and ammonium citrate as well as silicon micro-emulsion softener concentrations on the performance properties of cotton fabric was determined. Results obtained show that the pre-cationization of cotton fabric having 0.09% nitrogen followed by crosslinking with 6% ammonium citrate brings about an enhancement in both dry and wet recovery angles along with a slight improvement in TS. Furthermore, the pre-cationized sample having the nitrogen content of 0.09% was characterized before and after ester crosslinking with 6% ammonium citrate (compared with an untreated sample) using thermo gravimetric analysis and Scanning Electron Microscope.