SOME EFFECTS OF THE NATURE OF CROSS-LINKS ON THE PROPERTIES OF COTTON FABRICS

Abstract

An attempt is made to analyse some of the factors that affect crease-resistant properties of cotton to provide a better understanding on which to make new advances. Investigations are reported on the types, chemical nature, and distribution of cross-links in cottons. The relative merits of covalent-bond and hydrogen-bond cross-links for imparting wash—wear properties are considered. Substituent groups on carbonyl carbon and amido nitrogen atoms of N-methylol cross-linking agents influence acid and base hydrolysis of the reaction products of the compounds with cotton cellulose. Some factors affecting wet and dry crease-recovery are discussed. Structures within the cotton fibre that are capable of slippage, thus resulting in fibre creasing, are considered with respect to the present concept of the fibre structure.