Waterproof Fabrics Research Articles

Contact Dermatitis Due to Formaldehyde in Clothing Textiles

Formaldehyde resins are widely used in the textile industry in textile finishing. Many wrinkle-proof, creaseresistant, and waterproof fabrics have been treated in this manner. Contact dermatitis due to formaldehyde contained in textiles has been reported from the European countries but no authenticated cases have been reported in the United States. This report describes three patients with allergic contact dermatitis due to formaldehyde contained in wearing apparel. The patients had positive patch tests to formaldehyde and to samples of textiles shown by chemical analysis to contain formaldehyde. There was correlation between the outbreaks of dermatitis and the use of formaldehyde-containing fabrics.

A Contribution to the Problem of the Impregnability of Cord Threads with Rubber

Abstract A review of the different methods employed today for preparing the carcass of tires will distinguish two main principles of working: 1. The direct treatment of dry fabrics (cord fabrics, weftless cords) with raw rubber compounds either by simply applying skim coats or by combining this operation with frictioning rubber on by calendering. 2. The pre-impregnation of the fabric or weftless cord either with a rubber solution or with latex. Latterly the direct application of latex (natural rubber milk) has found more and more favor in this industry also, and it is certainly possible to use latex for impregnation, instead of rubber solutions or cements. This is evident from the practice of the natives of Brazil in making their waterproof fabrics. The second category of processes may accordingly be divided into two subgroups: those which work with benzine rubber solutions and those which use latex. While comparatively simple tests enable us to find out with the greatest ease why the use of cord fabrics or weftless cords has other advantages over the use of closely woven fabrics, in addition to the higher degree of elasticity already referred to, it is much more difficult to decide whether it is more advantageous to use dry fabrics previously impregnated with benzine rubber solutions or fabrics that have been pre-treated with latex.