Physical Properties of Wool Treated with Multifunctional Epoxides

Abstract

We have investigated the physical properties of tropical wool fabrics. Samples were woven with yam from loose fibers treated with a water soluble multifunctional epoxide, i.e., glycerol polyglycidyl ether (GPE) in an aqueous medium catalyzed with a reductive agent (Na2S2O5) in the presence and absence of saturated NaCl. The resin treatment stiffened the fabrics somewhat and decreased their ability to regain moisture a little. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a difference in the abrasive breakdown pattern between the GPE/saturated aqueous NaCl treated wool and the untreated one. A good state of preservation of the hydrophobic nature of the scale surface after treatment was confirmed by soiling measurements of the wool with an oleophilic mixture/carbon black complex. There were fewer carbon black particle deposits in surfactant solution on the untreated and GPE/saturated aqueous NaCl treated wool than on the GPE/ H2O treated wool.