Performance of durable press finish on cotton with modified DMDHEU, citric acid, BTCA and maleic acid

Abstract

Cotton fabrics possess the inherent property to form wrinkles under stress. To overcome this problem, conventionally, elective cross-linking agents are applied via the pad-dry-cure method at a high curing temperature. Research carried out in this fi eld has identifed invariable deterioration in the mechanical properties of a fi nished cotton fabric. In this study, four different cross-linking agents, i.e. modified dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea (DMDHEU), citric acid, 1,2,3,4 butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) and maleic acid, were applied on a cotton fabric through a selection of combinations, using the Box-Behnken experimental design. It was established that DMDHEU shows the best improvement in the crease recovery angle along with the highest durable press (DP) rating with a poor retention of strength. The citric acid shows the average strength retention as well as an acceptable improvement in crease recovery. BTCA shows the best strength retention, but the poorest crease recovery. The maleic acid also shows an average strength retention with a crease recovery superior to that with BTCA.

Keywords

• cotton
• modified DMDHEU
• citric acid
• BTCA
• maleic acid
• DP rating