Optimal conditions for condensation of equimolar ratios of stearic acid (St) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400, i.e. 180°C, 8hrs and H 2 SO 4 , 4g/kg (reactants mixture), were utilized to condensate the equimolar ratio of stearic (St), palmitic (Pa) or myristic (My) acid with PEG 300, 400, 600, 2000 or 6000. Each of the fifteen condensates was formed by total conversion (83.5 to 84.1 %). Monoester-diester ratios of the condensates ranged from 4:1 to 49:1. FT -IR spectroscopy and hydrophilic lipohilic balances (HLB) of the condensates were also examined. The condensates had softening and hydrophilic properties of cotton fabric with no yellowing at concentrations of 30 and 50g/l in the presence or absence of DMDHEU (50g/l). The presence of DMDHEU improved the fabric resiliency.However, the softening and hydrophilic properties of the fabric were inferior in the presence of DMDHEU rather than the absence. In comparison with a commercial softener, PEG 2000-or 6000-based condensates were higher in fabric wettability and pliability but lower in smoothness. Regarding CRA, only My-2000 was comparable to that of the commercial softener in terms of effect.

No abstract

Condensates of stearic (St), palmitic (Pa) or myristic (My) acids with polyethylene glycols (PEG) 300, 400, 600, 2000 or 6000, are utilized as emulsifiers for kerosene ∓ in ∓ water pigment printing pastes. Pastes based on condensates of PEG 300 or 400 are unstable while the others are stable. Rheology of stable pastes, aside from those based on a commercial emulsifier, are of a non ∓ Newtonian, shear thinning ∓ thixotropic flow. The order of the flow properties of pastes enhanced are found. Cotton pigment prints using the nine pastes are sharp and of comparable handle, colour strength and color fastness to those based on a paste of either a commercial emulsifier or synthetic thickener (except for Pa∓6000). The pigment prints of 65/35 cotton/polyester are sharp only upon using pastes of commercial emulsifier, synthetic thickener, St∓600, St∓2000, St∓6000 and My∓2000. After 7 days of storing, all pastes are stable with increased apparent viscosities and induced color strength on both cotton and blended fabrics.

The conventional pad‐dry‐cure technique used in easy care cotton finishing with N‐methylol compounds was modified by introducing an extra urea pad. That is, the modified technique involves padding the cotton fabric with an aqueous solution of the finishing agent followed by padding with an aqueous urea solution; drying and curing. Advantages of the modified technique lie in smaller amount of free formaldehyde in the finished fabric as well as higher retaining strength. The magnitude of the reduction in the amount of free formaldehyde and that of the improvement in the retained strength depend upon urea concentration in the extra padding bath as well as upon nature and concentration of the catalyst used.

The dyeing of acrylic fabrics using C.I. Astrazon Basic Golden Yellow GLE is studied with both conventional (CH) and ultrasonic (US) techniques. The factors that affect dyeability, such as dye bath pH, US power, dyeing time and temperature, are studied. The colour strength values obtained are found to be higher with US than CH heating. Also, the fastness properties of the dyed fabrics are determined with. A comparative study using x-ray and scanning electron microscope (SEM) that is implemented on samples to explain for the better dyeability of acrylic fabrics with the US method. Dyeing kinetics and the time/dye-uptake isotherms reveal enhanced dye-uptake in the second phase of dyeing. The values of the dyeing rate constant, half-time of dyeing and standard affinity, and US efficiency are calculated and discussed.