An Experimental Investigation on Optimizing Liquid Repellency of Fluorochemical Urethane Finish and Its Effect on the Physical Properties of Polyester/Cotton Blended Fabric

This paper aims to optimize the liquid repellency performance of fluorochemical urethane (FU)—a patented technology with a shorter fluorocarbon chain (C4). FU is free from persistent bioaccumulative toxins such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), unlike the long-chain fluorinated chemicals (>C6). Different sets of varied finish concentrations with an extender and a wetting agent were prepared to treat the 65/35% polyester/cotton blended fabric. The finish concentration was optimized based on the liquid repellency (water and oil-repellency) of the treated fabric and its laundering durability. In addition, the effect of the finish concentration on selected physical properties of the treated fabric was studied as well. The liquid repellency, laundering durability, and selected physical properties of the treated and untreated fabrics were analyzed using ASTM and AATCC standard test methods. The results of textile substrates treated with 60 g/L of FU show an optimum balance of desired liquid repellency without affecting the physical properties of the fabric significantly.

Is Price an Indicator of Garment Durability and Longevity?

Increasing focus on the sustainability of clothing has highlighted issues such as “fast fashion”, impacts of laundering, durability, perceptions and expectations of wear and quality. The general consensus is that low-price garments (usually “fast fashion”) are of low quality, low durability to laundering and are therefore more likely to be disposed of after minimal wears. The aim of this research is therefore to explore the relationship between price, perception of quality, frequency of laundering and durability to laundering of a common garment. Physical experiments on black T-shirts was undertaken to determine whether the price of a garment determines its quality in terms of durability to laundering; and a survey was conducted on perceptions of whether the quality of a garment is tied to its price. Price was found to not be a good indicator of physical performance, especially when it is lower. The two highest-priced T-shirts experienced the least change and this was attributed to better-quality fabric and construction. Participants expected more durability and higher quality as the price of the T-shirt increased and expectations were mostly pessimistic of garment performance to laundering compared to the actual performance compared against theoretically acceptable changes in garment dimension.

Improving the Anti-Pilling Performance of Cellulose Fiber Blended Knitted Fabrics with 2,4,6-Trichloropyrimidine Treatment

Pilling is a common and unresolved problem in knitted fabrics, especially for the cellulose fiber blended fabrics, which not only causes an unattractive appearance and an uncomfortable handle, but also reduces the added value of the products. In this study, four different kinds of knitted fabrics were treated with 2,4,6-trichloropyrimidine (TLP) alkaline emulsion by dipping and pad–dry–cure modification processes. The surface morphology and chemical structure of original and treated fabrics were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The anti-pilling performance, thermal properties, physical and mechanical properties and color features of treated fabrics were also evaluated. The results indicated that TLP was successfully covalently crosslinked onto the surface of the cellulose fibers. The dipping process resulted in a better anti-pilling property than that of the pad–dry–cure process, and both treatments could bring about an excellent anti-pilling property and outstanding laundering durability. A pilling grade of 4.5 was achieved for the treated polyester/viscose (T/V) fabric with the dipping process even after 20 washing cycles. In addition, the treated fabrics displayed an enhanced antistatic property and still maintained a soft handle. Besides, the bursting strength and air permeability of treated samples were found to have a slight deterioration, while no apparent differences were found in the color parameters and colorfastness of dyed fabrics. The above results demonstrate that 2,4,6-trichloropyrimidine has the potential application prospect in the functional finishing and home-caring of textiles.

Fabrication of Superhydrophobic and UV-Resistant Silk Fabrics with Laundering Durability and Chemical Stabilities

To obtain a superhydrophobic surface, SiO2 nanoparticles are deposited on the surface of silk fabric (SF) by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) to form a hierarchical roughness structure. In addition, a durable superhydrophobic SiO2@silk fabric was further prepared by hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) modification. Compared with bare silk, the surfaces of the SiO2@silk fabric exhibit higher surface roughness and excellent superhydrophobic activity, with a contact angle (CA) of ~152°. The excellent UV resistance of SiO2@silk fabric was confirmed with high UV protection factor (UPF) values and a low UV transmittance. Moreover, both the laundering durability and chemical stability of the SiO2@silk fabric were improved. Overall, this method is recognized as a promising approach to produce high-end fabric development. It can also guide the design of multifunctional fiber materials in the future.

Influence of crosslinking agent on the effectiveness of flame retardant treatment for cotton fabric

In this study, the commercial organophosphorus compound Pyrovatex CP New was used as a flame retardant for cotton fabric. Citric acid and a modified dihydroxy ethylene urea (DHEU) labelled Knittex FFRC were used as crosslinking to increase the flame-retardant laundering durability of treated cotton fabric. There have been some studies showing that Chitosan has the potential to improve flame retardancy and laundering durability of flame retardant treated cotton fabric. Thus, Chitosan, which has the molecular weight of 2.600 (water soluble) and the deacetylation degree of approximately 75%, is added to finishing solution for flame retardant treatment of cotton fabric. The padding-drying-curing method was used in this study. After treatment, all samples were examined to determine the chemical absorption level. The 45° flammability test characteristics and LOI value of untreated and treated samples after different number of washing cycle were determined to assess the flame retardancy of the treated fabric and its laundering durability. In addition, to assess the impact of this treatment on the mechanical strength and ecology of the fabric, the tensile strength and free formaldehyde content of the treated fabric were also evaluated

The Effect of Polydopamine on an Ag-Coated Polypropylene Nonwoven Fabric

A practical method for preparing multifunctional polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabrics with excellent stability and durability was explored. First, the PP nonwoven fabric was sputtered by a magnetron sputtering system to form an Ag film on the surface of the fabric. Subsequently, the coated fabric was treated with dopamine. The fabrics were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), electrical conductivity, electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE), antibacterial activity, stability, and laundering durability. The results of the study revealed that the fabric was coated with Ag, and after the treatment with dopamine, the surfaces of Ag-coated fibers were coated with polydopamine (PDA). The fabrics still had a sheet resistance below ~15 Ω/sq and exhibited excellent EMI SE above ~25 dB, though few differences existed from the single Ag-coated sample. After the treatment with dopamine, the antibacterial activity of the fabric was enhanced. Meanwhile, the treated samples exhibited excellent resistance against sodium sulfide corrosion, which could enhance the stability of the Ag-coated fabric. Moreover, the laundering durability of the treated fabric was improved in the same process, whose lowest sheet resistance was ~18 Ω/sq and the EMI SE was ~8 dB more than single Ag-coated PP nonwoven fabrics. In conclusion, this method was considered to be effective in fabricating multifunctional, stable, and durable fabrics.