Journal of Industrial Textiles

In this study, the effects of differential foam application of durable press (DP) and fluorochemical (FC) finishes to cotton fabrics were investigated. Two different degrees of preparatory finishing of 100% cotton print cloth were evaluated: bleach ing only (BL), and bleaching followed by caustic mercerization and liquid ammonia treatment (BL-CM/AT). The two pretreated fabrics were finished separately by one- and two-sided foam applications at 25% wet pick-up with various levels of FC (0 75, 1.00, and 1.25%) and fixed DMDHEU resin (4.00%) add-on, and at 21% wet pick up with 1.00% FC/3.80% DMDHEU add-on. Performance properties (water and oil repellency, wrinkle recovery, and durable press appearance rating) of foam finished cotton fabrics were examined.

Polyurethanes can be tailor-made for a wide range of flexible surface coatings, e.g., for textile substrates and leather; and for a wide variety of adhesives. Polyurethanes give unexcelled performance in almost all of these applications. A prime target of coating textiles with polyurethanes is the achievement of the quality of natural leather. A highly water vapor permeable, but water repellent textile coating has recently become possible using a direct coating process. The application of a micro porous polyurethane film on split leather by a reaction process leads to prime quality leather for shoe uppers. For many years, elastomenc polyurethanes have been the top-ranking adhesives for highly plasticized PVC articles. More recently, polyure thanes have been introduced into the market as structural adhesives, especially for the bonding of automotive body parts. A new principle of heterogeneous cross-linking of polyurethanes which has potential for one-package structural adhesives is pre sented. Aqueous polyurethane dispersions can also be tailor-made for the whole range of two-dimensional applications. They complement the high solids and the powder polyurethane coatings, as well as the solvent-free polyurethane adhesives in the fulfillment of ecological and industrial hygiene requirements.

The use of radio frequency energy to dry polyester/cotton warp yarn in the sizing process was studied. A laboratory slasher equipped with a fringefield type electrode array was used. Radio frequency energy was supplied to the applicator from a radio frequency generator rated at 12.5 Kw. Drying rates using the radio frequency method were compared to the rate obtained using conventional cylinder drying. Yarn proper ties obtained using radio frequency and conventional cylinder drying were com pared. Economics of radio frequency drying were evaluated.

Ethoxylated quaternaries were found to be useful reactive additives for durable press finishing. Durable press fabrics with these quaternary grafts can be dyed subse quent to finishing, thus providing an attractive route to garment dyeable smooth drying fabrics. These glycol additives can be used as components of a finish to yield smooth drying cotton fabrics with enhanced strength retention.

This research was conducted to assess thermal transmittance and air permeability of selected textile fabrics in single and multilayer configurations Fabric geometry was found to contribute significantly to both the thermal transmittance and the air permeability of the assemblies. Fabrics representing a range of fibers, yarn structures and fabric constructions were used to develop model textile assemblies which op timize thermal transmittance and air permeability. The findings of the study provide an understanding of the insulation performance of textile fabrics and fabric assem blies in a variety of applications, ranging from apparel to thermal insulation used in buildings.