Chemical finishing of textiles W. D. Schindler and P. J. Hauser CRC Press Boca Raton Boston New York Washington, DC Cambridge England © 2004 by Woodhead Publishing Ltd Published by Woodhead Publishing Limited in association with The Textile Institute Woodhead Publishing Ltd Abington Hall, Abington Cambridge CB1 6AH, England www.woodhead-publishing.com Published in North America by CRC Press LLC 2000 Corporate Blvd, NW Boca Raton FL 33431, USA First published 2004, Woodhead Publishing Ltd and CRC Press LLC © 2004, Woodhead Publishing Ltd The authors have asserted their moral rights. This book contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources. Reprinted material is quoted with permission, and sources are indicated. Reasonable efforts have been made to publish reliable data and information, but the authors and the publishers cannot assume responsibility for the validity of all materials. 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Typeset by Ann Buchan (Typesetters), Shepperton, Middlesex Printed by TJ International, Padstow, Cornwall, England © 2004 by Woodhead Publishing Ltd Contents Preface ix 1 Introduction to chemical finishing 1 1.1 Wet and dry or chemical and mechanical finishing 1 1.2 The challenge and charm of chemical finishing 2 1.3 Importance of chemical finishing 4 References 6 2 Chemical finishing processes 7 2.1 Introduction 7 2.2 Application of chemical finishes 8 2.3 Drying wet textiles 20 2.4 Curing chemical finishes 21 2.5 Coating and laminating 23 References 26 Appendix 27 3 Softening finishes 29 3.1 Introduction 29 3.2 Mechanisms of the softening effect 29 3.3 Typical softened textiles articles 31 3.4 Product types and their chemistry 31 3.5 Schematic comparison of important properties of softeners 36 3.6 Compatibility and combinability 36 3.7 Evaluation and testing methods 38 3.8 Particulars of and troubleshooting for softening finishes 39 References 41 4 Hand building finishes 43 4.1 Introduction 43 4.2 Definitions and terms 43 iii © 2004 by Woodhead Publishing Ltd iv Contents 4.3 The hand building effect 44 4.4 Examples of textiles with hand building finishes 44 4.5 Typical hand builder chemistry 44 4.6 Evaluation methods 48 4.7 Troubleshooting for hand building finishes 50 References 50 5 Easy-care and durable press finishes of cellulosics 51 5.1 Introduction 51 5.2 Mechanisms of easy-care and durable press finishing 52 5.3 Examples of textiles with easy-care and durable press finishes 54 5.4 Chemistry of easy-care and durable press finishes 55 5.5 Application methods 64 5.6 Compatibility with other finishes 67 5.7 Evaluation methods 67 5.8 Troubleshooting and practical problems 69 References 72 6 Repellent finishes 74 6.1 Introduction 74 6.2 Mechanisms of repellency 75 6.3 Repellent chemistry 76 6.4 Evaluation of textiles treated with repellent finishes 84 6.5 Troubleshooting for repellent finishes and particularities 84 References 85 7 Soil-release finishes 87 7.1 Introduction 87 7.2 Mechanisms of soil release 87 7.3 Soil-release chemistry 91 7.4 Evaluation of soil release 95 7.5 Troubleshooting for soil-release finishes 96 References 97 8 Flame-retardant finishes 98 8.1 Introduction 98 8.2 Mechanisms of flame retardancy 98 8.3 Flame-retardant chemistry 102 8.4 Flame retardants for cellulose 103 8.5 Flame retardants for wool 108 8.6 Flame retardants for polyester 109 8.7 Flame retardants for nylon 110 8.8 Flame retardants for other fibres 111 © 2004 by Woodhead Publishing Ltd Contents v 8.9 Flame-retarding fibre blends 111 8.10 Novel approach to flame retardancy: intumescents 112 8.11 Evaluation of flame retardants 112 8.12 Troubleshooting for flame-retardant finishes and particularities 115 References 116 9 Non-slip finishes 117 9.1 Introduction 117 9.2 Mechanisms of non-slip finishes 118 9.3 Chemistry of non-slip finishes 118 9.4 Application methods and combinability 118 9.5 Evaluation of non-slip finishes 119 9.6 Troubleshooting for non-slip finishes 120 References 120 10 Antistatic finishes 121 10.1 Introduction 121 10.2 Mechanisms of antistatic finishes 123 10.3 Chemistry of antistatic finishes 123 10.4 Conductive fibres 125 10.5 Evaluation of antistatic finishes 126 10.6 Troubleshooting for antistatic finishes and particularities 127 References 128 11 Anti-pilling finishes 129 11.1 Introduction 129 11.2 Pilling mechanism 129 11.3 Mechanisms and chemistry of anti-pilling finishes 132 11.4 Evaluation of anti-pilling finishes 133 11.5 Troubleshooting for anti-pilling finishes and compatibility 134 References 136 12 Elastomeric finishes 138 12.1 Introduction 138 12.2 Elastomeric mechanism 139 12.3 Chemistry of elastomeric finishes 139 12.4 Evaluation of elastomeric finishes 141 12.5 Troubleshooting for elastomeric finishes and particularities 142 References 142 13 Finishes to improve colour fastness 144 13.1 Introduction 144 13.2 Improved wet fastness 144 © 2004 by Woodhead Publishing Ltd vi Contents 13.3 Improved light fastness 149 13.4 Improved crocking and rubbing fastness 153 References 155 14 Ultraviolet protection finishes 157 14.1 Introduction 157 14.2 Mechanism of UV protection 158 14.3 Chemistry of UV protection finishes 160 14.4 Evaluation of UV protection finishes 162 14.5 Troubleshooting for UV protection finishes and combinability 163 References 163 15 Antimicrobial finishes 165 15.1 Introduction 165 15.2 Properties of an effective antimicrobial finish 166 15.3 Mechanisms of antimicrobial finishes 166 15.4 Chemistry of antimicrobial finishes 167 15.5 Evaluation of antimicrobial finishes 171 15.6 Troubleshooting for antimicrobial finishes 172 References 174 16 Insect resist and mite protection finishes 175 16.1 Introduction 175 16.2 Mechanisms of insect resist finishes 175 16.3 Chemistry of insect resist finishes 177 16.4 Application of insect resist finishes 178 16.5 Evaluation of insect resist finishes 178 16.6 Troubleshooting for insect resist finishes 178 16.7 Finishes for protection from dust mites 179 References 179 17 Finishing with enzymes: bio-finishes for cellulose 181 17.1 Introduction 181 17.2 Action of cellulase enzymes on cellulose 183 17.3 Chemistry of enzyme finishing 184 17.4 Evaluation of bio-finishing 186 17.5 Troubleshooting for bio-finishing 186 References 187 18 Novel finishes 189 18.1 Introduction 189 18.2 Anti-odour and fragrance finishes 189 © 2004 by Woodhead Publishing Ltd Contents vii 18.3 Fibre surface modifying finishes using plasma and radiation technologies 193 18.4 Fibre surface modification by sol–gel finishes with inorganic oxide films 194 References 197 19 Actual and future trends in chemical finishing 198 19.1 Introduction 198 19.2 Cost reduction and greater efficiency 198 19.3 New kinds of effects 198 19.4 Fewer undesirable side effects 200 19.5 Easier application 200 19.6 Microencapsulation, a new trend for storage and release of active finishing products 200 19.7 Greater permanence in washing and chemical cleaning 201 19.8 Easier care of the finished textiles 202 19.9 Better ecology 202 19.10 Using fewer chemicals 203 19.11 Smart textiles by chemical finishing 204 19.12 Summary and outlook 205 References 206 © 2004 by Woodhead Publishing Ltd In grateful appreciation of their unwavering support and many sacrifices, we dedicate this book to our wives, Helga and Helen. © 2004 by Woodhead Publishing Ltd Preface In final chemical finishing, with its great range of desired and undesired effects, the task of a textile finisher can become demanding. He or she has to consider the compatibility of the different types of finishing products and treatments, in particular their mutual influence on the desired effects. With about 20 different types of chemical finishes and several thousand finishing agents, most of which arecombined to give one-bath multipurpose finishes, chemical finishing needsasolid basis of textile chemical knowledge and technical understanding as well assome practical experience. This book aims to fulfil some of these requirements. It is anticipated that this book on the chemical finishing of textiles will appeal particularly to finishing plant management, process engineers, technologists, qualified practitioners and foremen; representatives and co-workers of the textile chemical industry, textile research and testing institutes, quality inspectors, textile machinery makers; chemist colourists, clothing manufacturers, textile designers, dry cleaners, buyers, sales personnel, wholesalers and last but not least students, lecturers and teaching staff of textile chemistry and finishing as well as of related subjects. The presentation of this compact description of all important types of chemical finishing might be especially useful for advanced undergraduates. This book stresses fundamentals rather than specific recipe and procedure proposals, which are often provided by the finish producers. The interplay between chemical structures and the effects of finishing products is a central concern of this book. Readers without a deeper chemical interest may especially profit from the discussions of typical advantages and disadvantages, application conditions, compatibility and combinability, testing methods and practical tips about every important type of chemical finish. The idea for this book started with a comprehensive lecture script on chemical finishing from the University of Applied Sciences Hof/Münchberg, that was translated into English during the stay of Professor Schindler as a guest at the College of Textiles of the North Carolina State University. There the authors met and planned to fill a gap in the market with an actual, compact and clearly understandable survey on chemical finishing of textiles in the form of a small ix © 2004 by Woodhead Publishing Ltd x Preface textbook focusing on the interaction of the underlying chemistry and technology with the textile fabric. The authors want to thank their colleague Professor Gary N. Mock for constant support and encouragement and Woodhead Publishing Limited, especially MsEmma Starr, for very friendly and inspiring cooperation. We also thank the International Textile Bulletin, for leaving us the copyright for two corresponding publications on softening and hand building finishes in issues 2 and 4 in 2003. We welcome suggestions and comments and hope that this book might be useful for all those who enjoy the charm and the demanding challenge of chemical finishing for textiles. Prof. Wolfgang D. Schindler Prof. Peter J. Hauser University of Applied Sciences Hof North Carolina State University Department Münchberg, Germany Raleigh, North Carolina, USA © 2004 by Woodhead Publishing Ltd