Reaction Equilibria and Textile Performance from Low Formaldehyde Release Carbamate Finishing'

Abstract

Durable press finishes for cottons based on carbamate agents have certain advantages over those based on other amides, including superior resistance to both acidic and alkaline hydrolysis and absence of yellowing on white goods. A disadvantage has been the tendency of these finished fabrics to release unacceptably high levels of formal dehyde in the unwashed state, a result of the equilibrium between the methylolcar bamate and the free carbamate and formaldehyde, which favors the free carbamate and formaldehyde. We have taken advantage of the stability imparted to the methylol- amide by etherification to design low formaldehyde release carbamates. We discuss the influence of reaction conditions such as temperature and pH on formaldehyde release in preparing these agents. We report on the textile performance of treated cotton, including formaldehyde release, for fabrics finished with the low formaldehyde release carbamates, and we compare this to a finish from dimethyloldihydroxyeth yleneurea.