Process for photoinitiated, polymeric encapsulation of cotton fibers in durable-press textiles

摘要

A process for copolymerizing vinyl monomers with cotton to yield a product having encapsulated cotton fibers, the product in fabric form has improved durable-press properties, improved soil release, improved dyeability, improved abrasion resistance, and the product contains new multifunctional reactive groups which are useful in further textile modification. The reaction is carried out generally by treating cotton fabric with a vinyl monomer in a deoxygenated mixture of solvents, then irradiating the impregnated immersed fabric by exposure to near-ultraviolet-light radiation.