GB1062185A - Process for modifying the characteristics of structures containing keratin fibres and product thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Structures containing keratin fibres are shrinkproofed and permanent configurations and mechanical effects, e.g. pleating, crimping and calendering, are set therein by reacting them with a polyfunctional isocyanate compound containing at least two groups which are isocyanate or isothiocyanate groups and a monomeric polyfunctional compound containing as the functional groups hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulphydryl or amino groups. The isocyanate compound may be an aryl, alicyclic or alkylene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate. The monomeric polyfunctional compound may be an aliphatic compound containing at least two OH or SH groups including ethylenically unsaturated polyols, a di-, tri- or tetraphenylol compound, an alkandamine or an aliphatic or aromatic polyfunctional acid. The isocyanate compound and the monomeric polyfunctional compound may be applied to the fibres as a solution in a non-reactive organic solvent, e.g. a halogenated hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, n-butyl acetate, ether or phosphate, p-dioxane, ethyl oxtate, methyl isobutyl ketone, pyridine, quinoline, N,N-dimethyl formamide or acetamide or 2,2,4-trimethyl pentane, by padding, immersing, spraying or from applicator rolls, or as aqueous dispersions when the isocyanate groups are blocked by reaction with tertiary alcohols, secondary aromatic amines which contain only one group having a hydrogen atom reactive with an isocyanate group, mercaptamo, lactamo, imides, monohydric phenols or compounds containing enolizable hydrogen. The treating solution may also contain a catalyst and a silicone resin. Numerous examples of suitable isocyanate compounds, polyfunctional compounds, catalysts and isocyanate group blocking compounds are given. After impregnation the fibres may be dried and cured by heating to 220 DEG -260 DEG F., aged for 12-24 hours, scoured and dyed with premetallized or acid dyes. During the impregnation the fibres and solutions are preferably maintained at a pH value of 3-9. Fabrics comprising wool alone or in admixture with synthetic polyamide, polyester, acrylic, cellulose acetate, viscose rayon or cotton fibres may be treated. Other suitable keratin fibres are mohair, alpaca, cashmere, vicuna, guanaco, camel hair or llama. In inserting a desired configuration, e.g. pleat, in a fabric, the fabric may be impregnated, arranged in the configuration and cured. Alternatively the fabric may be impregnated, dried, made into garments, pressed into the desired configuration and cured. Reference is also made to crimped yarns and crimped stretch fabrics. Crimped yarns may be obtained by knitting a yarn, impregnating, curing and unravelling the knitted fabric.