Chemical factors affecting soiling and soil release from cotton-containing durable press fabric. VIII. Grafting of polyester/cotton blend fabrics with carboxyl-containing polymer

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 1983-03, Vol.28 (3), p.1179-1193
• Main Authors: Hebeish, A, Abou-Zeid, N.Y, El-Kharadly, E, Shalaby, S.E, El-Alfy, E.A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: nonfood plant products
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.1983.070280323

Fabric samples of polyester/cotton blend were graft copolymerized to different levels (add‐ons) with poly(acrylic acid) and poly(methacrylic acid) using the mutual γ‐irradiation technique and the Fe2+–H2O2 redox system, respectively. The copolymers so obtained were given durable press treatments with and without conventional nonionic softener using DMDEU as the crosslinking agent. The susceptibility of the copolymers before and after crosslinking to aqueous and nonaqueous oily soiling and their ability to release the soils were examined. It was found that hydrophilization of the surface of polyester/cotton blend through grafting with the said carboxyl‐containing polymers brings about a significant improvement in the resistance of the blend to aqueous and nonaqueous oily soil particularly after crosslinking in presence of nonionic softener. A certain improvement in the ease of oily soil removal could be achieved by grafting. The opposite holds true for aqueous soil release. Soiling and soil release depends on the magnitude and method of grafting, medium of soiling, as well as the formulation of crosslinking treatments. The effect of grafting on some properties of the blend fabric before and after crosslinking was also examined.