Improved Durable-Press Cotton via Polymeric N-Methylol Reagents

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Abstract
Polyethylenimines, degree of polymerization = 7 and 14, were reacted with urea to form polymeric noncyclic analogues of ethyleneurea that were subsequently treated with formaldehyde to yield N-methylol derivatives. These reagents were applied to cotton fabric both alone and in combination with dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea. Al2(OH)5Cl·2H2O was the preferred crosslinking catalyst. Fabrics finished with these crosslinking reagent systems had durable-press properties generally comparable to those of fabrics prepared by conventional techniques but were characterized by significantly higher levels of retained strength and abrasion resistance.