Grafting of Poly(1,1-Dihydroperfluoroalkyl Acrylates) on Wool

Abstract

Copolymers of 1,1-dihydroperfluorooctyl acrylate/methacryloyl chloride acted as multipurpose finishing agents for wool. They provided oil and water repellency; resistance to felting shrinkage; and resistance to acid, alkali, and oxidizing media. The hand and flexural rigidity were altered slightly, whereas wrinkle recovery, fabric break, tear strength, and abrasion resistance were not significantly changed. Grafting of the copolymers on wool is presumed to be due mainly to a reaction between copolymer-acid chloride groups with hydroxy and amino groups in keratin. Aside from rendering the polymer insoluble to dry cleaning solvents, grafting permitted the use of smaller amounts of resin for shrinkage protection than was required with nongrafted polymer. The washfastness of the oleophobic-hydrophobic finish was essentially the same in a comparison of a grafted copolymer fluoroalkyl acrylate and a nongrafted homopolymer fluoroalkyl acrylate. No significant differences were noted in the washfastness or fastness to dry cleaning of the oleophobic-hydrophobic finish imparted by a commercial fluorinated acrylic resin (FC 208) when the resin was applied on untreated wool, on shrink resistant wool fabrics, or in conjunction with an interfacial polymerization shrinkproofing technique.