Crease Recovery of Untreated and Resin-Treated Cotton Fabrics

Abstract

Cotton textiles received from loomshed undergo various chemical processes before finishing. These processes play an important role in determining the end properties of the unfinished fabric. The effect of processing on tensile strength and fluidity is well known. However, progressive changes in crease recovery, tear strength, and abrasion resistance have not been investigated systematically. Fabric with identical constructions but processed under different conditions often differ considerably prior to resin finishing. In this paper causes for differences in initial crease recovery are discussed. It has been observed that any residual wax present on the fabric after scouring affects the initial crease recovery significantly. Scouring under mild conditions helps to retain a high initial crease recovery. In comparison with thoroughly scoured fabrics, mildly scoured fabrics require less resin to obtain a given crease-recovery angle. The resultant losses in strength after resin treatment are also less.