GB493066A - Improvements in or relating to the production of stiffened fabrics and articles madethereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A fabric containing a thermoplastic derivative of cellulose is stiffened by subjection to heat and pressure in the presence of water and both a water-soluble and a water-insoluble plasticizing agent for the cellulose derivative. The fabric may be woven, knitted or netted from cellulose derivative yarns, together, if desired, with non-thermoplastic yarns. The thermoplastic cellulose derivative may be present as yarns in the fabric as a coating thereon, or as a film or powder applied thereto; if powder is employed it may be mixed with a plasticizing agent and gum or other binder. The plasticizers may be present in the spinning solution or applied to the fabric, by dipping, spraying or padding, preferably as a solution in a volatile solvent which is a swelling or penetrating agent for the cellulose derivative, e.g. benzene methyl or ethyl alcohol. Preferred plasticizers are dimethoxyethyl phthalate and triacetin. Finely divided pigment may be incorporated. Compound fabrics may be formed by uniting alternate layers of the fabric containing a thermoplastic cellulose derivative with other fabrics by treatment as above, or by uniting two or more such fabrics; the plasticizing agents may be present on the non-thermoplastic material, e.g. two layers of cellulose acetate fabric may be united with an intermediate fabric consisting wholly or partly of non-thermoplastic material and containing the plasticizing agents. The fabrics are suitable for collars, cuffs, shirt fronts, parts of hats and stiffening linings. The heat and pressure may be applied locally to produce designs, and the plasticizing agents may also be applied locally. In examples: (1) a fabric consisting of acetone-soluble cellulose acetate is dipped in a solution of dimethoxyethyl phthalate and triacetin in ethyl alcohol, and the solvent evaporated. A layer of cotton or linen fabric is placed on each side of the treated fabric, the whole wetted and pressed with a hot iron or calender; (2) a compound fabric made according to example 1 is interposed between two layers of fabric consisting wholly or partly of cellulose acetate. The assembly is wetted and pressed on both sides with padded hot irons or calenders. A stiffened fabric results in which the outer layers of cellulose acetate are unaltered in appearance.