Effect of Catalysts on the Thermal Characteristics of Cotton Citric Acid DP Finishes

Abstract

Citric acid-based durable press finishes catalyzed with various levels of sodium hypophosphite, sodium phosphate, or sodium phosphite have been studied systematically. Thermal characteristics are compared, beginning with visual examination of the thermograms and quantitation of multiple parameters primarily from thermogravimetric analyses, and combinations of parameters are examined in three-dimensional graphs. Such combinations are successfully used to distinguish between finishes and assess finish levels. Comparisons of samples from this series with those of previous studies show that each sample is unique. Finish identification depends critically on the catalyst used, and therefore these citric acid finishes can be recognized as different from finishes based on 1,3-dimethylol 4,5-dihydroxyethyleneurea (dmdheu) and magnesium chloride/citric acid catalyst. Successful identification of specimens using only thermoanalytical techniques is an indication that quality control in textile mills is feasible with these procedures.