In situ polymerization and crosslinking of ramie fabric for improved performance

Various resin finishing methods were studied to achieve the optimum balance of improvement in wrinkle recovery and retention in mechanical properties of ramie fabrics with improved fabric hand. Effects of premercerization and two different types of durable press (DP) treatments - surface intermolecu lar crosslinking by a pad-dry-cure process and in-situ polymerization and c rosslinking (IPC) treatment by a nonconventional wet fixation process -were investigated in terms of changes in physical and chemical properties of fa brics. Contribution of silicone softeners to the retention of mechanical pr operties of DP treated fabrics was also explored. Results indicated that IPC treatment with a nonconventional wet fixation pr ocess provided a better balance of fiber resilience and mechanical properti es of the treated ramie fabrics. This is attributable to the IPC treatment which facilitates more effective diffusion of the resin monomer into the fi ber interior, resulting in a structure with better stress distribution. Fur thermore, results also suggest that inclusion of a silicone softener in the surface resin treatment can be an effective and practical approach to enha nce the wrinkle recovery of ramie fabric with a significant improvement in strength retention.