Abstract
This study examines the possibility of using unsaturated acrylic and maleic acids to impart durable press performance to cotton fabric. The two acids are copolymerized with potassium persulfate as the initiator and sodium hypophosphite monohydrate as the catalyst. The copolymer is used to finish cotton fabric by the padding and curing method. FTIR spectra confirm that crosslinking between the carboxyl groups of acids and the hydroxyl groups of cellulose occurs by means of the esterification reaction. The effects of curing conditions and reagent concentrations on the dry wrinkle recovery angle, tensile strength, and whiteness of finished fabrics are thoroughly investigated. The results indicate that at certain conditions and concentrations, durable press finishing of cotton fabric with the copolymer provides good wrinkle resistance comparable to fabric treated with DMDHEU. However, the copolymer treatment does not provide as good tensile strength and whiteness as DMDHEU.
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