New Approach for Easy-Care Finishing of Woolen Fabric

Abstract

A new approach for improving the durable press properties of wool fabric was investigated. The new technique involves padding with finishing bath containing DMDHEU at pH 2 using different acids, batching for 2 h at room temperature, followed by passing through a neutralizing bath containing triethanolamine (3 g/L) as an acid scavenger, and drying at 120°C/5 min. The results indicate that: i) wool fabric samples finished with the aforementioned technique acquire better durable press properties, higher whiteness index, and higher extent of post-dyeing, regardless of the acid used; ii) of the various acids used, HCl along with its amine salt, constitute a highly efficient catalytic system; iii) increasing DMDHEU concentration up to a certain limit has a positive impact on the dry and wet fabric resiliency, whiteness index, protection properties against moth attack, as well as on the extent of post-dyeing; and iv) the extent of improvement in the aforementioned properties is governed by the type of finishing agent and follows the descending order: Arkofix®NG > Fixapret®Eco, irrespective of the catalytic system used.

Keywords:

• Easy care
• Finishing
• Performance properties
• Acid dyeing
• Wool

Notes

Finishing condition: DMDHEU (100 g/L); pH (2); non-ionic wetting agent (2 g/L); wet pick-up (ca. 60%).

Neutralization bath: Triethanolamine (3 g/L); wet pick-up (ca. 60%); drying at 120°C/5 min.

Post-dyeing: C.I Acid Red 274 (2% owf), pH (4); LR (50:1) at 80°C/1 h followed by after washing.

Finishing conditions: DMDHEU (0–100 g/L); pH (2); non-ionic wettingagent (2 g/L); wet pick–up (ca 60%); batching for 2 h at room temperature.

Neutralization bath: triethanolamine (3 g/L); wet pick-up (ca 60%); drying at 120°C/5 min.

Post-dyeing: C.I Acid Red 274 (2% owf); pH (4); LR (50:1); at 80°C/1 h; followed by after washing.

E: exhaustion; K/S: color strength; WF: washing fastness; A: change in color; B: staining on wool; C: staining on cotton.

Finishing conditions: DMDHEU (50 g/L); pH (2); wetting agent (2 g/L); wet pick-up (ca 60%); batching for 2 h at room temperature.

Neutralization bath: triethanolamine (3 g/L); wet pick-up (ca 60%); drying at 120°C/5 min.

Post-dyeing: C.I. Acid Red 274 (2% owf); pH (4); LR (50:1); at 80°C/1 h; followed by after washing.

DCR: dry crease recovery; WCR: wet crease recovery; WI: whiteness index; YI: yellowness index; AS: alkali-solubility; E: exhaustion; K/S color strength.

Finishing condition: DMDHEU (0–100 g/L); pH (2); non-ionic wetting agent (2 g/L); wet pick-up (ca 60%); batching for 2 h at room temperature.

Neutralization bath: triethanolamine (3 g/L); wet pick-up (ca 60%); drying at 120°C/5 min.

Post-dyeing: C.I Acid Red 274 (2% owf); pH 4; LR (50:1); at 80°C/1 h; followed by after washing.

DCR: dry crease recovery; WCR: wet crease recovery; WI: whiteness index; YI: yellowness index; AS: alkali solubility; E: exhaustion; K/S: color strength.