Thermal Adaptability and Hand of Wool Fabric Treated with High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Glycol and a Softener

Abstract

The aim of this study is to enhance the thermal adaptability of wool fabric by a treatment with high molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG-8000), and to improve the PEG-finished fabric's hand by treatment with a softener. Using the pad-dry-cure method, the fabric is treated in aqueous baths with 20-45% owb concentrations of PEG and 8.0-9.0% DMDHEU, resulting in 12-38% PEG add-ons proportional to the PEG concentrations. Subsequently, using the pad-cure method, the fabric is treated in aqueous solutions with 2-6% owb softener concentrations. Thermal adaptability, measured by heat of fusion and crystallization on a DSC, improves as PEG add-on increases. The PEG-treated fabric is stiffer and less smooth, soft, and full than when untreated, according to measurements with the KES-FB system. The PEG-treated fabric's thermal storage and release are 30-60% lower after softening, but the hand improves. Optimum conditions for maximizing thermal adaptability and achieving a hand equivalent to the untreated fabric are 45% PEG-8000/9.0% DMDHEU in the finishing bath and 6% softener solution concentration.