Wet Crease Recovery Angle Research Articles

The prediction of optimal conditions for the surface grafting of β-cyclodextrin onto silk fabrics by an artificial neural network (ANN)

PurposeThe purpose of this study is the chemical grafting of β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) onto silk fabrics by the use of butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) as a crosslinking agent and nano-TiO2 (NTO) as a catalyst. The effects of different parameters involved in this particular process, e.g. β-CD, BTCA and NTO concentrations, are examined using the artificial neural network (ANN). The method is evaluated for its ability to predict certain properties of treated fabrics, including grafting yield, dry crease recovery angle (DCRA) and wet crease recovery angle (WCRA), tensile strength, elongation at break and methylene blue dye absorption.Design/methodology/approachThis study was conducted to describe the cross-linking of silk with 1,2,3,4-BTCA as a crosslinking agent in a wet state at low temperatures using NTO catalyst to improve the dry and wet wrinkle recovery (DCRA and WCRA) of silk fabrics. An ANN was also used to model and analyze the effects of BTCA, β-CD and NTO concentrations on the grafting percentage and some properties of the treated samples.FindingsAccording to the results, the wet and dry wrinkle recovery of the silk fabrics was improved for about 38% and 11%, respectively, as compared to the non-cross-linked fabrics, without significantly affecting the tensile strength retention of the fabrics.Originality/valueThis research model and analyze the effects of BTCA, β-CD and NTO concentrations on the grafting percentage and some properties of the treated samples for the first time.

Citric acid as environment friendly crease-resistance finishing agent for silk fabric combined by ß-cyclodextrin

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the possibility of cross-linking silk fabric using citric acid (CA) as the cross-linking agent and nano-TiO2 (NTO) particles as a catalyst at low temperature and under UV irradiation. This paper also assesses the possibility of treated samples with suitable combinations of CA and NTO to impart multiple functional properties such as self-cleaning and antimicrobial properties.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) grafted onto silk fabric using CA as a crosslinking agent and NTO particles as a catalyst through a pad-dry-cure technique and with UVA irradiation. The effects of different concentrations of CA, ß-CD and NTO particles on some properties of the treated samples are evaluated, and the optimum finishing conditions are obtained. The author also investigated the washing durability of the modified product after ten times of washing.FindingsThe results showed that CA plays the role of a linking agent through an esterification reaction with the hydroxyl groups of both ß-CD and silk fabrics and improves the durability of materials on the textile surface. Also, the silk fabrics treated with CA only were found to have excellent photocatalytic properties and better antibacterial activity than the control sample and the fabrics treated with a mixture of ß-CD/CA.Originality/valueThis study was conducted to achieve multiple functions such as antibacterial and photocatalytic activities, good dry crease recovery angle and wet crease recovery angle behavior without a significant adverse effect on the Yellowness index and tensile properties for treated silk fabrics.

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.

Impact of Esterification on Physicochemical Properties of Cellulosic Fabric using Balanites Aegyptiaca Seed Oil

This paper presents the results of some physicochemical properties of cellulosic fabric obtained by esterification using 50 cm3 of oil extracted from the seed of Balanites aegyptiaca.
 The oil was extracted under reflux with hexane which gave 40% yield and 0.22% moisture content. The identified cellulosic materials 10 cm and 21 cm x 2.5 cm) were subjected to purification process of scouring, bleaching and mercerization to obtain cleaner, whiter and stronger fabric that could withstand esterification treatment.
 The yarn crimp was 25% and 15% for warp and weft direction respectively, while the grey fabric gave the lowest of 5% and 8% for warp and weft directions. The linear density (45 tex) was recorded for the esterified fabric compared to 37 tex for the grey fabric along warp direction. The fabric sett increased from 24 thd/cm for grey to 27 thd/cm for esterified along warp direction and 16 thd/cm to 23 thd/cm along weft direction. There was an obvious reduction in shrinkage from 31 for mercerized fabric to 28 along warp direction after esterification and 21 to 19 along weft direction. The tensile parameter was 262.60 N and 166.24 N with extension of 13.92 mm and 12.23 mm along warp and weft directions respectively while the grey fabric recorded 223.87 N and 109.39 N with extensions of 3.64 mm and 3.56 mm in warp and weft direction respectively. There was a remarkable improvement in the dry and wet crease recovery angles after esterification (105º dry and 65º wet, 102º dry and 59º wet) along warp and weft direction respectively. The grey fabric gave the lowest crease recovery (50º dry and 37º wet, 45º dry and 35º wet) along warp and weft directions respectively.
 The esterified fabric recorded lower water absorption. The improvements in the investigated properties may be due to dimensional stability, flexibility and fineness due to esterification. This research is commendable because biodegradable organic seed oil is used to modify the physicochemical properties of cellulosic fabric for the first time. These incredible effects of the seed oil on cellulose is an immense contribution to knowledge, hence the oil is recommended for replacement of the present day toxic chemicals used in textile finishing of cellulosic fabrics.

High-performance textile electrodes for wearable electronics obtained by an improved in situ polymerization method

High-performance textile electrodes are promising electronic components that can meet the growing demand for wearable applications. In this study, woven and knitted fabrics, such as cotton, wool, silk, and polyester, were transformed into metal-free conducting electrodes by an improved in situ polymerization method. The method improved the conjugate length of the polypyrrole (PPy) molecule and doping levels and provided a thin and dense conductive polymer coating on the fabric surface. The sheet resistance of the resulting textile electrodes was less than 10 Ω sq−1. The PPy-coated textile electrodes contained superior electrical conductivity, without compromising the textiles breathability, flexibility, and comfortability. The tensile strength and wet crease recovery angles of the fabric were significantly improved after the incorporation of PPy onto its surface. The textile electrodes were more stable to organic solvent washing than to water washing. Their conductivities were nearly unchanged after washing in dichloromethane with 20 laundering cycles. The high conductivity of the PPy coating provided textile electrodes with good electrical heating properties. The PPy-coated textile electrodes (knitted cotton) demonstrated the highest specific capacitance of 4848 mF cm−2 at 1 mA cm−2, good cycling stability, and excellent flexibility. This study provided a simple and effective method to transform a commercial textile into wearable electronic components.

Exceptional wearability of multifunctional TiO2-coated hybrid silk fabric with controllable ultraviolet-protection properties

Ultraviolet (UV)-protective textiles have attracted significant attention because of their wide applicability. However, the anti-UV coatings of such textiles have an adverse effect on their wearing comfort, and other properties related to luster, softness and handle were also ignored. In this study, TiO2-coated silk fabric with controllable UV-protection properties was successfully fabricated via atomic layer deposition (ALD). The luster, bending properties, crease recovery, mechanical properties, air permeability and anti-UV properties of the TiO2-coated silk fabric were investigated. The results showed that the thickness, whiteness, bendability, tensile strength and anti-UV properties of the silk fabric increased progressively while its air permeability, wet crease recovery angle and dry crease recovery angle decreased with an increase in the thickness of the TiO2 coating. However, the coating did not have a negative effect on the usability of the fabric. Thus, the proposed ALD method is a promising one for modifying the surfaces of elastic textile materials in order to accord them with UV-protection properties.

Argon Plasma Treatment for Improving the Physical Properties of Crosslinked Cotton Fabrics with Dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea-Acrylic Acid

In this study, argon plasma treatment was added to the traditional pad-dry-cure process between dry and cure treatment. This new process was assign as pad-dry-plasma-cure. The crosslinking agent was a mixture of dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) and acrylic acid (AA). The results showed that argon plasma treatment could increase the bonded crosslinking agent (nitrogen content). Dry crease recovery angle (DCRA), wet crease recovery angle (WCRA) and tensile strength retention (TSR) of pad-dry-plasma-cure-finished fabrics were higher than that of traditional pad-dry-cure finished fabrics at a given value of nitrogen content. Additionally, it was found that the number of crosslinks per anhydroglucose unit (CL/AGU) and the length of crosslinks of pad-dry-plasma-cure-finished fabrics were higher than that of traditional pad-dry-cure-finished fabrics at a same resin concentration in the pad bath. DCRA, WCRA and TSR values of pad-dry-plasma-cure-finished fabrics were higher than that of pad-dry-cure-finished fabrics at a same CL/AGU value. The pad-dry-plasma-cure process is thought to be excellent for improving the physical properties and decreasing the formaldehyde release of the finished cotton fabrics.

Reaction Mechanism of Dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea/ Alpha-amino Acids Co-reactants on the Crosslinking of Cotton Cellulose in the Presence of Aluminum Sulfate Catalyst

Cotton fabrics were crosslinked with dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) alone and DMDHEU/alpha-amino acids. The results showed that the values of nitrogen content, dry crease recovery angle and wet crease recovery angle of the crosslinked fabrics were ranked as DMDHEU > DMDHEU/aspartic acid > DMDHEU/glycine > DMDHEU/arginine under the same concentration of crosslinking agent. The reaction rate constant was also in the rank of DMDHEU > DMDHEU/aspartic acid > DMDHEU/glycine > DMDHEU/arginine. This rank agreed with the number of amine groups on the alpha-amino acids. From the data of free energies of activation, we found that the alpha-amino acids could affect the crosslinking reaction. The transition state complex for DMDHEU alone was significantly different from those for DMDHEU/ alpha-amino acids. From infrared spectra, the interaction between alpha-amino acids and aluminum ion was confirmed. The mechanisms of the interaction between alpha-amino acids and aluminum ion and the condensation reaction mechanisms between DMDHEU and alpha-amino acids are suggested in this study. The higher the number of carboxylic acid groups contained in the alpha-amino acids, the higher the crease recovery angle and reaction rate constant.

Application of mixed gel solution in the anti-wrinkle finishing of cotton fabrics

Mixed sol-gel solutions have been prepared with 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA)/maleic anhydride (MAH) in different mole ratios and at different concentrations of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) for applying on cotton fabrics, by padding-drying-curing method, in order to study the effects on the physical and chemical properties of treated fabrics. Our results revealed the presence of hydrogen bonds between SiO2 and BTCA/MAH. The anti-wrinkle, tensile strength, and yellowing properties of the treated fabrics were satisfactory, but a slight negative effect was observed on the softness. The anti-wrinkle characteristics (dry crease recovery angle and wet crease recovery angle), tensile strength retention, and reduction of yellowing of the fabric improved as the concentration of BTCA or TEOS increased, whereas the opposite trend was observed for hand feel. From the economy and result considerations, the treated fabric showed the most appropriate assembly combination at a mole ratio of 5:5 for BTCA/MAH, 3% TEOS, and cure at 170°C for 2 min.

Inner Distribution and Deposition of Crosslinked Cotton Fabrics Using a Steeped Process

The steeped procedure was used to investigate the physical properties and crosslinking structure. It was found that the values of the N content, dry crease recovery angle (DCRA), and wet crease recovery angle (WCRA) of the treated fabrics with any specific steeped procedure were higher than those of normally treated fabrics. For a given number of crosslinks per anhydroglucose unit (CL/AGU) the crosslinking length (CL length) values for the steep-pad-dry-cure process were higher than those for pad-dry-cure process. All the DCRA and WCRA values for the steep-pad-dry-cure process were higher than those for pad-dry-cure process at a given resin concentration, tensile strength retention (TSR), and CL/AGU. The surface distribution of crosslinking agent on the finished fabrics for pad-dry-cure process was higher than that for the steep-paddry-cure process. The expansion degree of the steep-pad-dry-cure treated fiber is slightly higher than that of the pad-dry-cure process. Those results obtained from pictures of SEM, crosslinking structure, and surface distribution of fibers/fabrics treated by the two processes clearly show that the crosslinking agents could diffuse and self-condensate in the treated fabrics to obtain an inner and longer crosslink under the steeped procedure so as to have good DCRA and WCRA.

The Liquid Ammonia Treatment of Cotton Fibers-Structural Changes of Cotton Fibers after Liquid Ammonia and Hot Water Treatment-

Five kinds of cotton fabrics were treated using a practical liquid ammonia unit and consequently treated with hot water at 70°C or 130°C for two hours. The lattice type, the washing shrinkage, the water retention, the moisture absorbency, the dry and wet crease recovery angle and the bending repulsion were measured. Five data items for each measurement were averaged and analyzed. Due to the hot water treatment after liquid ammonia treatment, the dry crease recovery angle and the bending repulsion were decreased; on the other hand, the water retention, the wet crease recovery angle and the moisture absorbency were increased. These changes represent a rearrangement of the hydrogen bonding from a non-swollen state to a swollen state and stabilization of the fiber shape in the swollen state. Through this stabilization, a decrease in the washing shrinkage is thought to occur. The changes of the lattice type by the hot water treatment occurred a little at 70°C and occurred largely at 130°C. On the other hand, the washing shrinkage and other physical properties changed largely at 70°C. These results suggest that the decrease of washing shrinkage and the changes in the other properties depend mainly on the changes in the amorphous region.

Chemical Finishing of Linen and Ramie Fabrics

A commercial modified glyoxal-based resin product is used for the chemical end-finish of linen and ramie fabrics in wet fixation with standard curing time. The finishing technology recommended by the manufacturer significantly spoils the tensile and tearing properties, and decreases the resilience of the fabrics, and results in a considerable increase exclusively in wet crease recovery angle. The ramie is more sensitive to the applied finishing and expresses a greater strength loss than linen. Concentration of resin and acid has significant effect on both tensile and crease recovery properties, while concentration of the softener affects only the resilience of the fabrics.

Crosslinking structures and dyeing kinetics of cotton cellulose treated with a steeped process

AbstractA steeped procedure was introduced to the durable press finishing process in this study to study some physical properties, the crosslinking structure, and the pore structure. The results showed that the values of the dry and wet crease recovery angles of fabrics treated with the steep–pad–dry–cure process were higher than those of fabrics treated with the pad–dry–cure process, and those phenomena increased with higher steeped temperatures and longer times. The lengths of the crosslinks for the steep–pad–dry–cure process were higher than those for the pad–dry–cure process at a given number of crosslinks per anhydroglucose unit. The fabrics treated with the steep–pad–dry–cure process had higher values of the dye absorption, rate constant, and structural diffusion resistance constant than those treated with the pad–dry–cure process at the same dyeing temperature; however, they had lower values of the equilibrium absorption and activation energy than those treated with the pad–dry–cure process. The results of thin‐layer chromatography, H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, and IR analyses suggested that self‐condensation between the crosslinking agents occurred during the steeped procedure. Additionally, the steep–pad–dry–cure‐treated fabric had more inner agent distribution than the pad–dry–cure‐treated fabric. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2555–2562, 2005

Physical properties of the crosslinked cellulose catalyzed with nanotitanium dioxide under UV irradiation and electronic field

Four different carboxylic acids (1,2,3,4-butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA), maleic acid (MA), succinic acid (SUA), and citric acid (CA)) were used as crosslinking agents for finished cotton fabrics in the presence of nanometer titanium dioxide catalyst under the irradiation of ultraviolet (UV) light and/or an electronic field (EF). We find that the dry crease recovery angle, wet crease recovery angle, and softness improvement percentages of the treated fabrics for all the crosslinking agents are gradually increased with the increasing of irradiation time period, but the TSR values decreased in all cases. The crease recovery and softness properties for the various crosslinking agents are ranked as BTCA > MA > CA > SUA at a given UV irradiation time period. The addition of EF treatment on the UV-irradiated fabrics improves the catalytic effects significantly. The spectra of Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry reveal the crosslinking reaction between the carboxylic acid group of citric acid and the hydroxyl group of methylcellulose; this reaction could form ester and ether groups in the presence of nanometer TiO 2 catalyst under UV irradiation and UV irradiation and EF treatment. The pictures of scanning electron microscopy and the electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis survey spectra show the surface deposition of acid crosslinking agents on the finished fibers and the crosslinking reaction between citric acid and cellulose molecule catalyzed with nanometer titanium dioxide under the irradiation of UV only and under the irradiation of UV and the treatment of EF separately.

Physical properties of crosslinked cellulose catalyzed with nano titanium dioxide

AbstractFour different carboxylic acids, 1,2,3,4‐butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA), maleic acid (MA), succinic acid (SUA), and citric acid (CA), were used as crosslinking agents to treat cotton fabrics in the presence of nanometer titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a catalyst under UV irradiation. The dry crease recovery angle (DCRA) and wet crease recovery angle (WCRA) values of the treated fabrics were ranked BTCA > MA > CA > SUA and the tensile strength retention (TSR) values were ranked BTCA < MA < CA < SUA at a given resin concentration, catalyst concentration, and irradiation time period. The physical properties of the treated fabrics for nanometer silver/nanometer titanium dioxide (Ag/TiO2) catalyst showed the same tendency. At a given DCRA, the WCRA values were ranked in the order BTCA ≒ MA > CA ≒ SUA; and at a given value of the TSR, the WCRA and DCRA values were both ranked in the order BTCA > MA > CA > SUA. The softness values of the carboxylic acid treated fabrics in the presence of nanometer TiO2 catalyst were all better than that of the untreated fabric. Surface deposition of the treated fabrics for BTCA, which contains one vinyl double bond and four carboxylic acid groups, was higher than that for CA, which contains no vinyl double bond. IR spectra and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis survey spectra showed the ester bond crosslink between the cellulose molecule and the various acids used in this study. The values of DCRA, WCRA, and add‐on of the CA crosslinked fabrics for the mixed catalysts were in the order ZrO2/TiO2 < SiO2/TiO2 < Ag/TiO2. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 2450–2456, 2005

Degree of crosslinking and physical properties of dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea/acrylic acid crosslinked cotton fabrics after treatment with various metallic salts

AbstractThree metallic salts were used to posttreat dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU)/acrylic acid (AA) crosslinked cotton fabrics, and the results showed that at a given value of the tensile strength retention (TSR), the dry crease recovery angle (DCRA) and wet crease recovery angle (WCRA) of the crosslinked and posttreated fabrics were higher than those of the DMDHEU–AA‐treated fabrics, and those of the crosslinked and posttreated fabrics were in the order of Ag+ > Cu+2 > Al+3. The DCRA and TSR values for the crosslinked and posttreated fabrics were higher than those for the DMDHEU–AA‐crosslinked fabrics, and those for the crosslinked and posttreated fabrics were in the order of Ag+ > Cu+2 > Al+3; however, WCRA values for the crosslinked and posttreated fabrics were lower than those for the DMDHEU–AA‐crosslinked fabrics, and those for the crosslinked and posttreated fabrics were ranked as Ag+ > Cu+2 > Al+3 at a given number of crosslinks per anhydroglucose unit. IR spectra clearly revealed the different interactions and bonding states between the hydroxyl group of the cellulose and the various metallic ions and the strength of the interaction. All crosslinked and posttreated fabric samples showed good odor absorption and antibacterial and washing‐fastness properties. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 584–594, 2005

Crosslinking of cotton cellulose in the presence of serine and glycine. I. Physical properties and reaction kinetics

AbstractSerine and glycine were used to combine with dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) as crosslinking agents to study the physical properties of the crosslinked fabrics and the reaction kinetics, and find that the bound nitrogen is in the series of DMDHEU ≫ DMDHEU‐serine > DMDHEU‐glycine at the same resin concentration. The results also show that the wet crease recovery angle (WCRA) value of the treated fabrics for the three crosslinking agent systems is in the series of DMDHEU‐serine > DMDHEU‐glycine > DMDHEU alone at a given dry crease recovery angle (DCRA). The DCRA values of the treated fabrics for DMDHEU alone are higher than those for DMDHEU‐α‐amino acids for a given value of tensile strength retention (TSR). WCRA values for the various treated fabrics is in the rank of DMDHEU‐serine > DMDHEU alone > DMDHEU‐glycine at the same TSR. Rate constants for the various crosslinking agents are in the series of DMDHEU‐glycine > DMDHEU‐serine > DMDHEU alone at the given heated temperatures. Energies needed to crosslink and the values of enthalpies and entropies of activation are all DMDHEU‐glycine > DMDHEU‐serine > DMDHEU alone. Infrared ray (IR) spectra strongly suggest the reaction between DMDHEU and serine and the reaction between the hydroxyl group (cellulose) and serine can occur in the pad‐dry‐cure process, but only a little for the latter. The reaction between the functional groups of serine and the aluminum ion to form a complex also confirm with IR spectrum. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 595–603, 2005

The Liquid Ammonia Treatment of Cotton Fibers-The Structural Changes of Cotton Fibers under Various Treatment Conditions in Practical Units

The structural changes of cotton fibers by practical liquid ammonia treatment under four different conditions were investigated. Two liquid ammonia units were used, one of which had one drying cylinder and the other had two cylinders. The running speed of each unit was set at high or low. In each unit, the lattice type I did not decrease even after long ammonia wetting, and as the drying time increased, the lattice typeIII increased, the amorphous region also decreased. Therefore, regarding practical liquid ammonia treatment, the changes in the crystal structure are thought to occur as follows: Almost all cellulose changes to ammonia cellulose after short ammonia wetting, and along with the removal of the ammonia, the lattice type III increases, the amorphous region decreases and the residual ammonia cellulose converts to the lattice type I. It was found that after liquid ammonia treatment the pore volume corresponding to the PEG radius over 1.1nm and the water retention decrease, the dry and wet crease recovery angle, the tear strength, the tensile strength and the dye uptake increase. The degree of decrease or increase depends on the degree of drying respectively.

Crosslinking and Agent Distribution of Cotton Cellulose Treated with Combined Dimethylolethyleneurea and Dimethylol-N,N'-dimethylene-tris-ethyleneurea

We have used three different processes to treat cotton fabrics with different combined weight ratios of dimethylolethyleneurea (DMEU) and dimethylol-N,N'-dimethylene-tris ethyleneurea (DMDME3EU) as crosslinking agents, and have found that a two-step process of pad(DMDME3EU)-dry-cure-pad(DMEU)-dry-cure yields higher dry crease recovery angles (DCRA), wet crease recovery angles (WCRA), and equilibrium direct dye adsorption values than the other two processes of pad(DMEU)-dry-cure-pad(DMDME3EU)-dry-cure and pad- (mixture of DMEU and DMDME3EU)-dry-cure at the same nitrogen content and a combined ratio of equal concentrations of the two agents. The process of pad(DMDME3EU)-dry-cure- pad(DMEU)-dry-cure also yields higher DCRA values for a given wet crease recovery angle and tensile strength retention and an even crosslinking agent distribution in/on the treated fabrics. At the same time, the DCRA and WCRA values for the pad(DMDME3EU)-dry-cure- pad(DMEU)-dry-cure process are higher than those for the other two processes at a given number of crosslinks per anhydroglucose unit.

Physical properties and reaction kinetics of cotton cellulose crosslinked with dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea–maleic acid

AbstractTwo dicarboxylic acids were used to join with dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) as crosslinking agents to treated cotton fabrics. These results reveal that the dry crease recovery angle values of the treated fabrics for DMDHEU–maleic acid are higher than those for DMDHEU–tartaric acid at a given wet crease recovery angle and tensile strength retention. The IR spectra show that the reaction between the –OH of DMDHEU and cellulose and the vinyl groups of maleic acids occurred. The cross section of the DMDHEU–maleic acid and DMDHEU–tartaric acid treated fibers and the energies of activation and other data of reaction kinetics for DMDHEU–maleic acid and DMDHEU–tartaric acid strongly suggest that the reaction of vinyl groups of maleic acid with cellulose molecules can take place during the pad/dry‐cure process. Additionally, the surface distribution of crosslinking agent on the finished fabrics for DMDHEU–maleic acid is slightly lower than that for DMDHEU–tartaric acid. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3886–3893, 2004