A Comparison of Pad-Dry-Cure and Low Add-On Reactant Application on Cotton Fabrics

Abstract

The unfavorable effect of reactant migration in padded cotton fabrics during.drying on the balance of crease recovery and abrasion weight loss was confirmed once more. The influence of fabric type and pretreatments such as scouring and bleaching was studied. With the aid of a low add-on method making use of an engraved roller it can be shown that if the add-on is kept under a level of 30-40%, migration is largely prevented. Consequently, the balance of properties approaches that of a fabric with a uniform reactant distribution. The effect of the surface-active agents in low add-on methods was studied. The interaction between pretreatment and amount of surface active agent applied is clearly illustrated.