Crease-Recovery and Tensile-Strength Properties of Unmodified and Modified Cotton Cellulose Treated with Crosslinking Agents

Abstract

Cotton fabrics were oxidized with nitrogen dioxide and sodium periodate and crosslinked with dimethylol urea (DMU) and with dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea (DMDHEU) by the pad-dry-cure process. The effect of pre- and post-oxidation to resin treatment on the crease-resistance and tensile properties of cotton fabrics have been investigated. The results show that crease-recovery angle increases with degree of oxidation, and further periodate oxidation causes the release of strain in cellulose structure, thereby lowering the loss in tensile strength. Resin treatment, on the other hand, improves alkali sensitivity of periodate oxycellulose. Periodate oxidation and resin treatment therefore seem to complement each other.