GB717624A - Improvements in rendering fibrous materials hydrophobic - Google Patents

Abstract

A mixture of (a) interpolymers of vinyl ethers of hydroaromatic alcohols and olefines containing more than 4 carbon atoms and an isopropylidene group in the molecule and (b) paraffin or other waxes or fats is used to impregnate textile fabrics. The treated fabrics have a heavy to stiff handle. The interpolymers may be prepared by polymerisation of the monomers in the presence of Friedel-Craft's catalysts. Cyclohexyl and decahydronaphthyl vinyl ethers are specified. Suitable olefines include di- and tri-isobutylene; 3-methyl-butene-(2); 2, 3-dimethylbutene-(2); 2, 4-dimethylpentene-(3); 2, 2, 4-trimethyl-3-tertiary-butyl-pentene-(3); and 2, 6-dimethyl-4-isopropylidene-heptane. The mixture may be dissolved in benzine, carbon tetrachloride, trichlor-ethylene or other organic solvent immiscible with water, and the fabric immersed in or sprayed with the solution and air-dried or dried at moderately raised temperature. Aqueous emulsions of the mixture may be used, and to these aluminium or zirconium compounds may be added. The fabric may also be treated with an aqueous dispersion containing alkali soap and the mixture of interpolymers and paraffin or other wax or fat and then after-treated in an aqueous bath containing aluminium or zirconium salts. In an example an interpolymer from cyclohexyl vinyl ether and an olefine mixture containing 70 per cent of 2, 4-dimethylpentene-(3) and a paraffin wax are dissolved in carbon tetrachloride, and the solution used for the impregnation of a cotton fabric.