Introduction and Removal of Durable Creases in Wrinkle-Resistant Cotton Fabric

Abstract

Internally catalyzed, cross-linked cotton fabrics have provided the basis for an exploratory study of the introduction and removal of creases by thermal treatment. Durable creases having ratings of 4.0-5.0 have been developed in these cross-linked compositions which are characterized by conditioned and wet wrinkle recovery angles (W + F) as high as 300°. Creases are introduced by extended heat treatment or by multiple ironings of the wet fabric. By similar treatments of the creased fabric in the flat state, creases may be reduced substantially and, in some-cases, they may be reduced to the same extent as in unmodified cotton fabric. The study is based on cotton fabrics cross-linked with divinyl sulfone; the internal catalysis is provided by quaternary ammonium substituents introduced into the cellulose via ether linkages.