Crosslinking of Cotton Fabrics Premercerized with Different Alkalis

A crosslinking treatment with dimethyldimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DM- DMDHEU) is reported for cotton fabrics premercerized with different alkalis at normal (constant) length (warp and weft). The number of crosslinks per anhydroglucose unit (CL/AGU) and crosslink lengths (CL) are calculated from formaldehyde and nitrogen contents. Data on formaldehyde and nitrogen contents, physical properties, and num ber and length of crosslinks are discussed. The value of CL length for unmercerized cotton is higher than that for mercerized fabrics at the same pad bath resin concen tration, but CL/AGU for the former is lower than the latter. ΔDCRA and Δ W CRA values of the various premercerized cottons are ranked LiOH mercerized > NaOH mercerized > KOH mercerized > unmercerized fabric; however, the ranking of ΔTSR and ΔER values is in the order of unmercerized > KOH mercerized > NaOH mer cerized > LiOH mercerized fabric at the same nitrogen content and CL/AGU. The swelling of the various mercerized and crosslinked fabrics is ranked LiOH mercerized > NaOH mercerized > KOH mercerized > unmercerized fabric.