GB851289A - A process for improving the properties of fibres, filaments and textiles made from cellulose - Google Patents

Abstract

Cellulosic fibres, filaments and textiles having improved abrasion resistance, faster drying properties and good water absorption capacity are produced by treating the materials with an aqueous emulsion or organic solution of a mixture of a water-soluble polyester and (1) a polyamide, or (2) an alcohol-soluble mixed polyamide or (3) a N-hydroxyalkyl-, N-alkoxy alkyl-or N- alkthioalkylpolyamide, and then drying at a temperature above 100 DEG C. Suitable watersoluble polyesters are obtained by the polycondensation of dibasic acids, e.g. succinic, adipic and glutaric acids, with an excess of diols, e.g. glycol. Suitable polyamides are made from caprolactam and hexamethylene diammonium adipate and by the joint condensation of several polyamide generating substances. Specified N-substituted polyamides are N-methoxymethyl polyamides, N-ethoxy methyl polyamides, N-hydroxymethylpolyamides, N-(polyoxyethylenemethyl) polyamides, N-(polyoxyethylene) polyamides and N-alkthiomethyl polyamides. The aqueous emulsions may be prepared by dissolving the polyamides or derivatives thereof in organic solvents miscible with water, e.g. alcohols, such as methanol, or acids, such as formic acid and acetic acid, and pouring these solutions into water in the presence of the polyesters, which act as emulsifiers. The emulsions may also contain softeners, e.g. sulphonated fats or sulphonated aliphatic alcohols, or antistatic agents. The adherence of the agents from the emulsified phase to the textiles may be accelerated by the addition of salts such as sodium sulphate, sodium chloride, magnesium sulphate or sodium or potassium acetate or citrate. Examples refer to the treatment of hosiery made from cuprammonium rayon and of cotton fabrics.