Abstract
Polymerization-crosslinking reagents such as N-methylolacrylamide, N-methylol- methacrylamide, and N-methylolpolyethyleneurea (dp = 3) (NMP-2) and conven tional crosslinking agents such as dimethylolethyleneurea, dimethyloldihydroxyethyl eneurea, and formaldehyde were used to treat cotton twill fabrics. A concentration study with these reagents was carried out, and physical and chemical properties of the finished fabrics were compared. Strength and abrasion properties of treated fabrics at two levels of DP and conditioned WRA were also determined. The results indicated that the experimental reagents capable of undergoing polymerization as well as crosslinking within the cellulose substrate afford a superior balance of strength and abrasion properties. NMP-2 appears to be most stable to loss of formaldehyde among the polymer-forming reagents studied and most sensitive to loss of breaking strength from scorching following treatment with chlorine bleach.
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