The lecture surveys the development of the application of synthetic resins to textiles and the interrelation of practice and research. Resin application developed first on two main lines, viz. the use of emulsions of preformed vinyl‐type polymers and the urea‐formaldehyde crease‐resist process. By using different preformed vinyl polymers a wide variety of finishes may be obtained, whereas the urea‐formaldehyde finish, which is a key finish both practically and theoretically, is itself the basis of many finishes and has been the pattern for many other types of amino‐formaldehyde resin finish. The importance of the location of the resin in or on the fibre is demonstrated in numerous systems. The use of resins for modifying handle, for imparting crease‐resistance or dimensional stability, or for fixing embossed effects is now standard practice, but synthetic resins are finding increasing use in new outlets. Thus, phosphorus compounds are now being incorporated with the amino‐formaldehyde type of resins to produce anti‐flame finishes. Research is proceeding in the field of isocyanate chemistry, especially on polymer formation in and on textile fibres, and some progress is being made in practical application. A new class of polymeric substances– the silicones–has opened up a completely new field in the progress of water‐repellency. It is shown that resin application to textiles is now a specialised study and that many more new developments may be expected.
Staining and swelling tests have confirmed that vinyl polymers may be readily deposited inside viscose rayon filaments and that different degrees of penetration are obtained depending on the properties of the monomer employed. Vinyl polymers increase the stiffness of viscose rayon filaments, and as increasing amounts of polymers are deposited internally the filaments become increasingly distended. About 8% of polymer may, however, be introduced without causing any change in the diameter of the fibres.
Large quantities of hydrophobic, vinyl polymers deposited inside viscose rayon fibres reduce water imbibition comparatively slightly, but hydrophilic polymers increase the imbibition. Memurements of the absorption-desorption isotherms of fibree containing various polymers show that deposition of polymethyl methacrylate or polystyrene produces little effect on the moisture contents calculated on t,he weight of cellulose. Introduction of hydrophilic polymers increases the moisture contents of the fibres.
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