• Fibers and Polymers
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.182-187
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• 2003

Low molecular weight copolymers of maleic anhydride and vinyl acetate were prepared to develop formaldehyde free cross-linking agents. Since lower molecular weight is favorable for efficient penetration of the finishing agent into the cotton fibers in the padding process, the concentration of the initiator, chain transfer agent and the monomer ratios were varied to obtain copolymers of low molecular weights. The prepared polymers were characterized by GPC, $^1{H-NMR}$, FTIR, DSC and TGA. Copolymers of molecular weights of 2 000 to 10 000 were obtained and it was found that the most efficient method of controlling the molecular weight was by varying the monomer ratios. Poly(maleic anhydride-co-vinyl acetate) did not dissolve in water, but the maleic anhydride residue hydrolyzed within a few minutes to form poly(maleic acid-co-vinyl acetate) and dissolved in water. However, the maleic acid units undergo dehydration to form anhydride groups on heating above ${160}^{\circ}C$ to some extent even in the absence of catalysts. The possibility of using the copolymers as durable press finishing agent for cotton fabric was investigated. Lower molecular weight poly(maleic anhydride-co-vinyl acetate) copolymers were more efficient in introducing crease resistance, which appears to be due to the more efficient penetration of the cross-linking agent into cotton fabrics. The wrinkle recovery angles of cotton fabrics treated with poly(maleic anhydride-co-vinyl acetate) copolymers were slightly lower than those treated with DMDHEU and were higher when higher curing temperatures or higher concentrations of copolymer were used, and when catalyst, $NaH_2$$PO_2$, was added. The strength retention of the poly(maleic anhydride-co-vinyl acetate) treated cotton fabrics was excellent.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.71-81
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• 1986

In order to control the formaldehyde release from D.P. finished fabric, cotton fabric was padded in DMDHEU resin bath containing either $Zn(NO_3)_2$ or $MgCl_2$ catalyst and a form-aldehyde scavenger like Glycerol, Sorbitol, Formamide, Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, n= 2000) or diols, then dried and cured. The results are as follows : 1. When Lewis acid catalyst like $Zn(NO_3)_2$ or $MgCl_2$ was added in pad bath, the fabric finished with $Zn(NO_3)_2$ catalyst released the lower formaldehyde than with $MgCl_2$. 2. When the effect of pad bath pH was examined with varying the kinds of catalyst and the scavenger, it was found that the pad bath pH influenced on the amount of formaldehyde release and the optimum pad bath pH is at 4.3. Especially, in case of finishing at pad bath pH 4.3 with adding Formamide, the amount of formaldehyde release was decreased by about $45\~$35\%$ with $Zn(NO_3)_2$, while by about $20\~$45\%$ with $MgCl_2$ catalyst. In case of varying the concentration of a scavenger (Formamide), $1\%$ concentration of a scavenger was found to be the optimum level ana the higher the curing temperature up to $180^{\circ}C$, the lesser the amount of formaldehyde release were observed. 3. When the diol was used as scavenger, the amount of formaldehyde release was decreased by about $40\~$50\%$, but the longer the intramolecular length between OH groups, the lessor the amount of decrease of formaldehyde release were observed. 4. When the mixture of scavengers (Formamide and Glycerol) was added in the pad bath, .synergistic effect on formaldehyde release between the two scavengers wasn't observed. 5. The tensile strength of the resin finished fabric was reduced with increasing the pad lath pH and was influenced by the kind of scavengers, and the tensile strength was severely reduced when scavengers, especially Formamide, was added. The wrinkle recovery property is generally improved by resin finish on cotton fabric. When Formamide was added, the wrinkle recovery property is slightly decreased compared with that of the fabrics resin finished without a scavenger, and when polyol was added, the wrinkle recovery property showed almost no change.