Impact Of Concurrent Pigment-Dyeing & Resin Treatments On The Abrasion And Pilling Resistance Of Polyester/Cotton Fabrics

Abstract

Polyester/Cotton (PES/CO) blended fabrics were subjected to one stage pigment dyeing and resin treatments on common laboratory padding mangle at 70 percent wet pick-up and constant thermo-fixing conditions. Formaldehyde resin treatment on fabrics  is usually associated with lowered abrasion resistance and pilling propensity, therefore, the main objective of  pigment dyeing in conjunction with resin finishing was not only to retain these characteristics of PES/CO fabrics but at the same time save energy. The simultaneously dyed/treated fabrics with modified di-hydroxyethyleneurea (DHEU) were abraded at maximum number of cycles and displayed also the highest pilling grade i.e.5. As regards the performance of different binders, the effect of acrylate co-polymer binder on the abrasion and pilling resistance seemed to be better as compared to simple acrylic dispersion. Hence, the combination of acrylate copolymer binder( 200g/L) along with pigment red (50 g/L) and a low formaldehyde cross-linker (DUEH),100g/L recommended to be a compatible formulation for dyeing PES/CO fabric in terms of maintaining the desirable abrasion and pilling resistance. Further. single phase dyeing-crosslinking system for PES/CO fabrics relatively found more economical and feasible regarding minimal pollution creation in the absence of post wash treatment

Key words: Resin treatment, abrasion resistance, pilling, pigment colouration, acrylic copolymer binder, formaldehyde free cross linker.