This study examined the mechanical and durable press properties of cotton woven apparels by applying nano-technology. Cotton fiber is an important material in the textile industry. However, its poor smoothness performance after laundering has caused a major problem in its application. Durable press finishing process can increase wrinkle resistance but also induce deleterious loss in mechanical strength in treated fabric due to the rigid cross-linking formed on the other hand. Nano-sized polymeric particles have been synthesized and characterized to solve this problem....[ Read more ]

This study examined the mechanical and durable press properties of cotton woven apparels by applying nano-technology. Cotton fiber is an important material in the textile industry. However, its poor smoothness performance after laundering has caused a major problem in its application. Durable press finishing process can increase wrinkle resistance but also induce deleterious loss in mechanical strength in treated fabric due to the rigid cross-linking formed on the other hand. Nano-sized polymeric particles have been synthesized and characterized to solve this problem.

A core-shell structure has been observed in the particles with functional polymer on the surface. Nano-particles exhibit functional groups such as hydroxyl and carboxylic groups will react with hydroxyl groups present in the cellulosic fiber. After curing, those particles will form a film on the fabric surface which then will help to impart the mechanical strengths. The fabric treatment process is optimized by varying different parameters such as the proportion of cross-linking reagent and catalyst as well as the curing temperature and duration time. Results indicated that application of nano-particles will improve the tensile, tearing strength as well as the abrasion resistance of the treated fabric. Both tensile and tearing strength retentions are increased by at least 20% when compared with native fabric.

Rheological studies provided useful information for the particles under shear. Shearing thickening effect indicated the formation of clusters for the particles under shear. Optical rheological result suggested that fabric treatment with nano-particles should be not done under vigorous stirring in order to prevent agglomeration of particles.