THERMOANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DURABLE PRESS TREATED COTTON FABRICS

Thermoanalytical characteristics of chemically treated cotton fabric o ften appear similar to those of untreated cotton. The overwhelming amo unt of cotton cellulose versus the small quantities of finishing chemi cals present can mask many features contributed by reactant. The curre nt work is an initial attempt to detect and differentiate among a vari ety of durable press finishes. They include three N-methylol reactants , and four polycarboxylic acids with two alkali metal salts of phospho rus-containing acids used to catalyze their reaction with cellulose. D ifferential scanning calorimetric and thermogravimetric techniques wer e employed under dynamic nitrogen conditions. Changes in residue, rate of weight loss, peak intensity, and peak temperature were observed an d varied with reactant, catalyst used, and washing. The ability to dis tinguish among polycarboxylic acids, catalysts, and/or other formaldeh yde-based reactants is of value to the textile chemist. With these pre liminary results, we may soon offer a new means of finish identificati on.