An Effect of a Pretreatment of Fabric upon the Development of Durable-Press Properties in Cotton Fabrics by the Wet-Fixation Process

Abstract

A critical factor in the development of durable-press performance in cotton fabrics by the wet-fixation process is the presence of trace amounts of residual base in the cotton. In relatively large quantities the base neutralizes the acid catalyst employed for fixation and decreases the extent of reaction of the hexamethylolmelamines. In lesser amounts the base has little or no effect upon the development of add-on and resilience but deters the development of breaking strength and abrasion resistance in the fixed and cured fabrics. Evidence obtained in this study shows that in the wet-fixation type of process high levels of resilience are developed readily and are a function of reactions occurring in the early stages of fixation but subsequently modified by curing. On the other hand, high levels of breaking strength and abrasion resistance are developed only after extensive penetration of reagents into the fiber structure; these properties are a function of reactions occurring in the later stages of fixation. These strength properties are enhanced by use of reagent systems (i.e., hexamethylolmelamines) whose moderate reactivities allow good penetration.