Modifying Wear Life of All-Cotton Fabrics

Abstract

The modifying effects of liquid ammonia as a final finishing treatment and as a pretreatment for durable press finish on wear performance of all-cotton broadcloth were investigated. Abrasion resistance and appearance retention were taken as indicators of wear life. Abrasion was monitored by Stoll flex abrasion in dry and wet conditions and repeated laundering. Abrasion resistance was assessed from residual breaking strength and elongation-at-break behavior of fabrics, whereas wrinkle recovery, dimensional stability, and whiteness retention gave a measure of appearance retention qualities. Liquid ammonia improved the tensile strength and Stoll flex abrasion in dry condition, as well as dimensional stability of cotton broad cloth. As a pretreatment for durable press finish, liquid ammonia significantly improved abrasion resistance, tensile strength retention, wrinkle recovery, and di mensional stability in cotton broadcloth relative to durable press treatment by itself.