Modern Resin Finishing of Textiles Practice and Research

Abstract

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.

Aftertreatments for Improving the Fastness of Dyes on Textile Fibres

“…Condensation products derived from formaldehyde and phenol [147] or urea [70,148] (as used in wellknown anti-crease-finishing processes [149]) or formaldehyde and aromatic diamines [150] or acetone [151] often gave resins [152] of use not only in finishing but in the simultaneous improvement of wet fastness and, in some cases, washing fastness of direct dyes on cellulosic fibres. Acid catalysts could be incorporated with preparations of the resin fixatives described and, during curing, further condensation and crosslinking within and upon the fibre took place [153].…”