Variables That Influence Formaldehyde Release from Cottons Finished for Durable Press 1

Abstract

Variables were studied that affect the rate of formaldehyde release from cotton fabrics finished for durable press. With dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea as the crosslinking agent, both the catalyst type and concentration are important. Catalysts of predominantly Lewis acid activity produce fabrics with lower formaldehyde release than do those of predominantly Bronsted activity; catalyst concentration must be sufficiently high to catalyze the amount of agent present and to overcome the effects of buffering if a buffered agent is used. The relationship between catalyst and reactant concen tration and cure temperature is discussed. The influence of reducing the ratio of formaldehyde to amide moiety in the reactant on textile properties is compared to the influence of blending a form aldehyde adduct with a nonformaldehyde reactant. The possibility of predicting formaldehyde release in a finished fabric, based on the formaldehyde released from a reactant solution, is explored.