Finishing of jute using methacrylic acid in presence of tetrasodium pyrophosphate and potassium persulphate as catalysts under thermal treatment

Abstract

Jute fabric has been modified using methacrylic acid as the finishing agent in the presence of K₂S₂O₈ and Na₄P₂O₇ catalysts separately or in selected combinations, employing a pad-batch-dry-cure technique. It is found that the treatment with 100g/L methacrylic acid at 30°C and pH 7 using batching time of 60-75 min at 30°C followed by drying of the batched fabric at 95°C for 5 min and curing of the dried fabric at 140°C for 5 min under the catalytic influence of K₂S₂O₈ and Na₄P₂O₇ produces most balanced improvement in the textile-related properties, such as wrinkle recovery angle, flexibility, abrasion resistance, elongation-at-break and resistance to photo-yellowing with retention of strength.