Recurability and Textile Properties of Postactivated Cotton and Blend Fabrics

Abstract

Cotton and cotton-polyester blend fabrics were finished by a dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU)-glycolic acid-postactivation process to give fully-cured durable-press fabrics which could be given sharp, permanent creases by an ironing process. The resilience and strength-retention properties of these fabrics were equivalent to, or slightly better, than those of corresponding cotton or blend fabrics which had been finished by conventional durable-press processes. The postactivated blend fabrics accepted better creases at low temperatures than the corresponding cotton fabrics, but at the moderately higher temperatures required to form acceptable permanent creases, the creasabilities of the cotton and blend fabrics were almost equivalent. Unmodified blend fabrics and conventionally finished durable-press blend fabrics, either postactivated or not activated, accepted better permanent creases than the corresponding cotton fabrics, but none of these creases were acceptable.