A process useful for imparting abrasion resistance, resistance to frosting, wrinkle resistance, crease retention, wash-and-wear characteristics, durable press characteristics, and permanent press characteristics to cellulosic textile materials and to improve the wet strength, water absorption, and other properties of cellulosic paper. The process comprises; (a) impregnating the textile material or the paper with an aqueous aminoplast system comprising at least one aminoplast and at least one member of a latter recited first group; and (b) curing the aminoplast on the cellulosic material by; (i) irradiation; or (ii) by heating in the presence of an acidic catalyst. The composition comprises an aqueous aminoplast system admixed with an effective amount of a member of a first group consisting of; ##SPC1## Where; (a) x is 0 or 1; (b) R.sub.1 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having about 1-5 carbon atoms; (c) R.sub.2 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having about 1-5 carbon atoms; (d) R.sub.3 is hydrogen, an alkyl group having about 1-5 carbon atoms, or --SO.sub.3.sup.-; (e) R.sub.4 is hydrogen, an alkyl group having about 1-8 carbon atoms, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH; or --C.sub.6 H.sub.5 ; (f) R.sub.5 is hydrogen, an alkyl group having about 1-8 carbon atoms, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH; --C.sub.6 H.sub.5 ; or --CH.sub.2 OH; and (g) A is a member selected from a second group consisting of; (i) --NC.sub.5 H.sub.10 ; (ii) --NC.sub.4 H.sub.8 O; and (iii) --NC.sub.4 H.sub.8.
Regenerated cellulose fiber with a reduced tendency to fibrillation can be prepared by treating never-dried fiber with an aqueous solution or dispersion of a polymer having a plurality of cationic ionisable groups. Suitable polymers include those carrying imidazoline and azetidinium groups. The fiber may additionally be treated with an aqueous emulsion of an emulsifiable polymer.
Pressed garments are treated with microwaves to activate chemicals without heating the garments, resulting in permanent creases without fabric damage. An apparatus controls the process or curing cross-linking agent impregnated cellulosic fabric with microwave energy. The application allows finite control of the curing process necessary to impart a proper cure of wrinkle free fabric. The garment surface temperatures are continually remotely sensed. The microwave energy is cycled on and off so as not to overcure, avoiding loss of fabric memory and avoiding hot spots or burned fabric.
The fibrillation tendency of solvent-spun cellulose fiber is reduced by treating the previously dried fiber with a chemical reagent containing at least two functional groups which are reactive with cellulose and which are electrophilic carbon--carbon double bonds, particularly vinyl sulfone groups, or precursors thereof or electrophilic three-membered heterocyclic rings or precursors thereof. The chemical reagent is preferably colorless and is preferably applied to the fiber from aqueous solution. The fiber may be contained in a woven or knotted fabric.
The present invention relates to a method for reducing the fibrillation tendency of lyocell fibre. Never-dried fibre is treated by an inorganic alkali solution and a chemical reagent having an average of greater than 2.1 acrylamido groups, and then heated. This method produces cellulose materials with a smooth white appearance resistant to creasing in the wet state.
The fibrillation tendency of lyocell fabrics, and the degree of fibrillation of fibrillated lyocell fabrics, can be reduced by treating such fabrics with a cross-linking agent in the presence of an acid catalyst. Good results may be obtained when the ratio by weight of the catalyst to the optional cross-linking agent is at least about 0.5:1. Good results may be obtained when the amount of cross-linking agent fixed on the fabric is in the range 0.5 to 1.5 percent on weight of fabric.
