Effect of differential foam application of durable press and flourochemical finishes to cotton fabric

In this study, the effect of differential foam finishing on the aesthetics and funtional properties of durable press (DP) and fluorochemical (FC) treated cotton fabrics was investigated. Effects of pretreatment and fluorochemical level on properties were also studied.

The 100% cotton print cloths were pretreated separately by two different preparatory process, bleaching (BL) only, and bleaching, followed by caustic mercerization/liquid ammonia treatment (BL-CM/AT). Two different pretreated fabrics were finished separately by one and two-sided foam application 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, abrasion resistance, wrinkle recovery, durable press appearance rating, tearing and tensile strengths) of foam finished cotton fabrics were examined.

One-sided foam application of FC and DP finishes resulted in excellent water and oil repellency on the applied side while leaving the nonapplied side absorbent. At the same time resulted in similar durable press properties on both sides.

The combination pretreatment of caustic mercerization and liquid ammonia treatment appreciably improved tearing and tensile strength of both one and two-sided foam finished fabrics. Furthermore, abrasion resistance was also substantially improved by the combination pretreatment.

One-sided foam application generally resulted in higher tearing strength than two-sided foam application. However, one-sided foam treatment usually resulted in lower tensile strength than double-sided foam application.

Generally, abrasion resistance on the nonapplied side of differentially PC and DP finished fabric appeared to be better than on the applied side. As the fluorochemical add-on was increased from 0.75 to 1.25%, abrasion resistance, tensile strength and tearing resistance all unexpectedly decreased.