Studies on formaldehyde-free crease-resistant finishing of cotton fabric using citric acid and selective chemical additives

Abstract

Crease recovery, strength retention and other physical properties of cotton fa brics cross linked with citric acid using different catalyst systems and additives have been studied. Sodium hypophosphite, disodium monohydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium salt of maleic acid and sodium pyrophosphate were used as catalyst, and triethanolamine, triethanolamine hydrochloride and monoethanolamine were used as additives. It has been observed that ester crosslinking on cotton fabric using citric acid gives an overall better balanced properties in presence of sodium salt of maleic acid as catalyst and triethanolamine as additive. Use of sodium salt of maleic acid also reducces yellowing problem. Use of triethanolamine improves the whiteness and flex abrasion resistance of citric acid crosslinked cotton fabric.