A new catalyst system using DMDHEU as a crosslinking reagent to improve the durable press (DP) properties of cotton fabric is described. Cotton cellulose fabric was crosslinked with DMDHEU in the presence of mixed catalysts Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 .16H 2 O and citric acid in constant and varying proportions. Cotton fabric was also crosslinked in the presence of a single catalyst as well as a conventional catalyst.

Migration and distribution of crosslinking reagents during controlled drying of cotton fabric crosslinked with dimethyloldihydroxyethylene urea (DMDHEU) and dimethytotatkyl triazone (TAE) has been reported. Effects of different temperatures (60, 70, and 80°C) and times (0 60 min) on rate of drying and migration of DMDHEU reagent have been investigated. Migration and distribution of reagent and drying of crosslinked fabric treated with triazone were studied at 80°C only. Rate of drying for fabrics treated with DMDHEU and dried at different temperature showed similar trends, and the rate of drying increased with an increase in the drying temperature. The sample treated with TAE showed a similar trend, but the rate of drying was higher. The agent migration was highest after 60 min of drying at 60°C and lowest at 80°C. The fabric sample treated with TAE showed a higher rate of migration compared to the corresponding sample of DMDHEU after 10 min of drying. The relationship between agent migration and rateof drying is discussed.

The migration of a crosslinking reagent during resin finishing of cotton/terene blended fabric is reported using different softeners (a non-ionic polyethylene emulsion and an anionic sulfonated compound) and in the absence of a softener. The cross linking treatment was done with dimethyloldihydroxy-ethyleneurea. Resin finished fabrics were dried for varying periods (0-60 minutes) at 70°C and were analyzed for moisture content and nitrogen content, from which the percent of water evaporation and of agent migration could be calculated. The data analysis showed an increase in the rate of water evaporation in the beginning, followed by a gradual decrease thereafter, both with and without softeners. The percent of agent migration increased gradually during the initial drying period for the fabric treated with a polyethylene emulsion softener or an anionic sulfonated compound softener or without any softener, followed by a gradual decrease thereafter in the first two cases. The samples treated without softeners exhibited higher agent migration than those treated with softeners. The re lationship between the percent of water evaporation and the agent migration is dis cussed.

In this study cotton fabric samples were crosslinked with 10% N-methylol compound 4-5, dimethyloldihydroxyethylene urea in the presence of a mixed catalyst system consisting of varying proportions of aluminium sulfate, glycolic acid, and tartaric acid. Resin finishing was by the pad-dry-cure method and curing was done at 160°C for 3 minutes in most cases and in few cases at 180°C for different periods. Treated and control samples were evaluated for various properties. Wrinkle recovery and durable press ratings of the crosslinked fabrics increased and breaking strength decreased as the concentration of glycolic acid in the mixture increased up to 2.0%. Further increases in the concentration of glycolic acid in the mixture did not have pronounced effect on fabric properties. The fabric samples treated in the presence of the mixed catalyst system of glycolic acid and aluminium sulfate exhibited better resilience than those treated in the presence of either citric or tartaric acid and aluminium sulfate. Fabric samples cured at 160°C exhibited better textile properties than the samples cured at 180°C. Fabric samples crosslinked in the presence of the mixed catalyst system showed higher WRA and DP ratings and better tensile properties compared to the samples treated by the conventional process.