Structural Features of Cotton Treated by Pad-Dry-Cure, Mild-Cure, Poly-Set, and Wet-Fix Processes

Abstract

This study was directed at the nature of the cross linkages developed in cotton modified with dimethyloldihydroxyethyl eneurea (DMDHEU) in the pad-dry-cure, mild-cure, and poly-set processes and in cotton modified with DMDHEU together with Aerotex Resin 23 Sp. (methylated methylal melamines) inthe wet-fix process. The approach involved an examination of a series of samples throughout the course of each cross-linking reaction (a) for CH₂O and N residues. (b) for stability of cellulose-reagent linkages to cupriethytenediamine hydroxide (Cuene), (c) for sol-gel data, and (d) for extent of swelling in Cuene. The critical structural features which distinguish the cotton cross-linked by the wet-fix process are (1) a highly uniform distribution of cross linkages throughout the fibers, (2) a high level of development of cross linkages in a fiber structure which is relatively open or noncollapsed, and (3) a high level of stable bond development (i.e., stable to base) or association between cellulose and the nitrogenous reagent residues.