Using an Aqueous Epoxide in Bombyx mori Silk Fabric Finishing

Abstract

In order to increase the performance of silk fabrics, especially their c ease resistance, an epoxy silicone crosslinking agent A (EPSIA) is synthesized and applied to silk fabrics. The physical properties of EPSIA and those of the silk fabrics treated with it are examined. After 240 days' storage, the specific gravity, viscosity, and performance of EPSIA do not change signif icantly. After EPSIA treatment, the dry and wet crease recovery angles of the silk fabric increase 14% and 39%, respectively. Tensile strength, whiteness index, moisture regain, water absorp tion, solubility in a solvent mixture, and contact angle of the treated fabric are either slightly lower or remain unchanged. In dyeing tests, there is a 25% improvement of percent exhaustion of Polar Red 10 B at equilibrium for the treated fabric. In addition, for Lanaset dyes such as Red G, Yellow 2R, and Grey G, the KIS values of the silk fabrics increase after EPSIA treatment, with little change in color, staining, and rubbing fastness.