Treatment of Wool With Polyolefins

Abstract

Several polyethylenes have been applied to wool from aqueous emulsions and from xylene solution. Resistance to felting shrinkage was found only when the polymer was cross-linked, even though the uncross-linked polymers were not necessarily removed on washing. Cross-linking was achieved either from reactive groups in the polymer chains or by the addition of a free-radical cross-linking agent such as benzoyl peroxide. Polyvinyl acetate behaved similarly to polyethylene, but polypropylene could not be cross-linked and did not shrinkproof.