Process for improving and finishing cellulose textile materials and improved textile materials manufactured in accordance with the aforesaid process

摘要

Textile materials made from natural or regenerated cellulose fibres alone or in admixture with synthetic fibres are creaseproofed by subjecting them to a cross-linking reaction in the dry state and subsequently subjecting them to a formalization treatment with an aqueous medium containing formaldehyde at a temperature not above 35 DEG C. The cross-linking agent used for the dry cross-linking reaction may be an aldehyde, e.g. formaldehyde and glyosol, an acetal, e.g. ethylene, glycol acetol, a polyepoxide, e.g. glycol diglycidyl ether, a vinylsulphone, bis-hydroxyethylsulphone, a halohydrin or an N-methylol compound, e.g. dimethylol ethylcarbamate. The textile material may be impregnated with an aqueous bath containing the cross-linking agent and a catalyst and if desired optical brighteners, dyes and softeners, e.g. polyethylene emulsions, dried and heated. Prior to heating the textile material may be subjected to a mechanical deformation, e.g. calendering. The cross-linking agent may be applied to the textile material in a non-uniform manner in the form of a pattern by printing or spraying and in combination with dyeing operations colour effects obtained. The formalization may be carried out using an aqueous solution containing formaldehyde, polymers of formaldehyde or other formaldehyde-yielding substances, e.g. N-methylol compounds, and having a pH value of less than 5. The formalization treatment may be carried out in the presence of organic solvents or compounds capable of binding water to form hydrates. The formaldehyde may be used in combination with colourless or colouring substances with which it is capable of forming N-methylol compounds. The solution, which may also contain dyes, optical brighteners and finishes, may be applied to the textile material by padding and the impregnated material then rolled up and left at room temperature for some hours, washed and dried. The solution may also be applied in a washing machine. The process may be used for fixing yarn helices in the manufacture of textured yarns.