Easy‐care finishing of silk fabrics with a novel multifunctional epoxide. Part 2

Abstract

The effects of finishing silk fabrics with the multifunctional epoxide EPTA have been studied. The content of basic amino acids and tyrosine in silk fibroin decreased remarkably. Wetting properties of the EPTA‐finished silk fabrics such as water‐fabric contact angle and water retention capacity changed slightly, while dyeing behaviours showed a marked difference. The rate of hydrolysis of the EPTA‐finished fibroin in alkaline solutions was slower than that of the unfinished control samples.

Silk grafting with methacrylic and epoxy monomers: Thermal process in comparison with ultraviolet curing

“…More recently these drawbacks have overcome by using alternative applications of epoxides such as pad‐batch, pad‐dry‐steam, and pad‐dry‐bake 18, 19. Moreover, water soluble multifunctional and silicone‐containing epoxides were synthesized to obtain fabrics with increased wet resiliency without hand worsening 20–26…”

Effects of crosslinking agents, dyeing temperature, and pH on mechanical performance and whiteness of silk fabric

“…These properties can be usually improved by two different methods: (1) graft copolymerization such as methyl methacrylate (MMA), methacrylamide (MAA), 2-hydroxy-ethyl methacrylate (HEMA), styrene, ethoxy-ethyl methacrylate (ETMA), methacrylonitrile (MAN), and vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMSi) 6 ; and (2) use of chemical modifying agents such as epoxides, which improve the resilience, dyeability with acid dyes, and color fastness to washing. 7,8 This is attributed to the reactions of epoxides with tyrosine and both basic and acidic amino acids present in silk fibers. Dibasic acid anhydrides, including aliphatic (succinic, glutaric) and aromatic (phthalic, o-sulfobenzoic), have been known as effective chemical-modifying agents for improving crease recovery and reducing photo-yellowing of silk fabric without affecting the mechanical properties.…”

“…Tsukada et al5 stated that the performance of silk includes many indicators such as crease recovery, rub resistance, colorfastness, wash and wear properties, and photo‐yellowing. These properties can be usually improved by two different methods: (1) graft copolymerization such as methyl methacrylate (MMA), methacrylamide (MAA), 2‐hydroxy‐ethyl methacrylate (HEMA), styrene, ethoxy‐ethyl methacrylate (ETMA), methacrylonitrile (MAN), and vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMSi)6; and (2) use of chemical modifying agents such as epoxides, which improve the resilience, dyeability with acid dyes, and color fastness to washing 7, 8. This is attributed to the reactions of epoxides with tyrosine and both basic and acidic amino acids present in silk fibers.…”