A Vapor-Phase Epichlorhydrin Process for Wet and Dry Wrinkle Recovery

Abstract

Epichlorohydrin vapors were used to treat cellulose in the presence of selected acid salts. After washing out of the acid catalyst, the fabrics were treated with aqueous alkali and cured under wet and dry conditions. The usual increases in wet crease recovery and, quite unexpectedly, significant increases in dry crease recovery were ob tained with either the wet or dry alkali treatment. Radiotracer techniques were utilized to obtain selected data regarding chemical reactivity. In addition the chemical reaction sequence and its relation to the above results are discussed.