Use of a Swelling Retention Agent in Wet-Fixation by High Pressure Saturated Steam

Abstract

This paper presents a study of one-step wet-fixation of trimethylolmelamine with a swelling retention agent (sodium nitrate) in cotton printcloth by saturated high pressure steam. This process produces fabrics with high durable press ratings and better strength retention compared to conventional padded, dried, and cured fabrics. The advantage of using high pressure saturated steam is the reduction in time to fix trimethylolmelamine, and the maintenance of moisture in the fabric during fixation. The latter is critical to fabric swelling and polymer formation. Uniform polymeriza tion of the trimethylolmelamine in the fibers has been demonstrated by a stain ing/light microscopy technique. This lack of migration is attributed to the maintenance of moisture during the polymerization process. The steam process imparts very high abrasion resistance to the fabric while maintaining good hand. Sodium nitrate addition to the fixation bath makes erratic contribution to swelling retention of the fibers and does not produce any set pattern on most fabric properties.