THE CROSSLINKING STRUCTURES AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE COTTON FABRICS TREATED WITH TWO-STEP WET-CURE OR POLY-SET PROCESS

Abstract

The crosslinking structures and the physical properties of the fabrics treated with wet-cure or poly-set process were studied. The lengths of crosslinks in the fabric treated with the wet-cure process were longer than those with pad-dry-cure and poly-set processes. With the same crosslinking structure, the fabric treated with the two-step wet-cure process showed better crease recovery under both dry and wet conditions than the fabric treated with pad-dry-cure or two-step poly-set process. This effect was attributed to the improved protection of hydrogen bonds and the enhanced swelling achieved by the first method. The dry and wet crease recoveries and the degree of swelling of the wet-cured fabric were depend ent on the moisture content of the fabric during the treatment.