Improved Resilience by Formation of Elastomers inside Cotton Fibers

Abstract

The introduction of elastomeric substances between the cellulose fibrils and/or histological elements of cotton fibers could lead to wrinkle-resistant cottons. Such substances, polyenes obtained by polymerization in situ after inclusion within the structure, are unable to penetrate the intermolecular structure, but are able to link together the elements of the fiber. This might result in a fiber with greater delayed elastic recovery and reduced permanent set, permitting wrinkle recovery of cotton fabrics to be increased. The study of optimum reaction parameters resulted in a reproducible process for including the polymer. The location of the polymer has been determined through the development of a new method for revealing the structure of cellulose. The desired mechanical properties of woven treated fabrics are improved, as indicated by various measurements. The first results concerning single fibers seem to corroborate the preceding.