Salt-Bath Process for the Chemical Finishing of Cotton

Abstract

Wet fixation of durable-press resins in cotton fabrics has been accomplished by immersing the cloth, padded with re actants and catalyst, in a hot, concentrated solution of sodium sulfate or other suitable salt for a time (30 sec or less). sufficient to effect fixation .The treated fabric is then washed free of the salt and the unreacted agent and dried or processed further as desired. Presumably, the salt solution provides a heat-transfer medium that maintains the fibers in a swollen condition during reaction, with minimal leaching of the reactants from the fibers. Properties of the cured fabrics are es sentially equivalent to those of fabrics wet-fixed by the Mylar-bag and steam techniques.

A limited mill trial, in which a Williams unit was employed for the salt bath, presented no unusual problems and es, sentially confirmed the laboratory results on wet fixation.