Reactions of β-Sulphato-ethylsulphone Crosslinking Agent with Wool

Abstract

In Part I of our study of the application to wool of the novel chemical crosslinking agent, 2-chloro-4,6-di(-aminobenzene-4-β-sulphato-ethylsulphone)-1,3,5-triazine (XLC), HPLC analysis showed the compound to have good substantivity for wool fibers when applied from boiling aqueous dyebaths in the pH range 3 to 6. In Part II, various solubility and swelling tests have been used to determine whether XLC introduces additional crosslinks into the fiber. The extent of crosslinking depends on the application pH: there is little crosslinking at pH values up to 4, but extensive cross-linking occurs when the compound is applied at pH 5 and 6. Studies on the wet burst strength of XLC treated fabrics indicate that the compound can limit the damage caused to wool by boiling aqueous treatments. For fabrics treated with XLC at pH 6, the compound preserves the original strength of the fabric. Although these results indicate that XLC treatment of wool introduces crosslinks into wool fibers, the mechanism and morphological sites of reaction with wool require further study.