Application of Formaldehyde-Free Finishes to Man-Made Fibre Fabrics

摘要

Resin finishing, particularly easy-care finishing, of cellulosic textiles has developed over the last 70 years. The demand for easy-care textiles with highly durable press ratings has resulted in significant advancements in easy-care finishing. The treatment of cellulose to improve crease recovery and provide highly durable press ratings is based on cross-linking of cellulose molecules through the finishing agent. Resin finishing was initially carried out using products based on phenol-formaldehyde condensates, methylol melamine or dimethylol urea. These products led to high formaldehyde emissions. Owing to the varying opinions concerning the probability that formaldehyde is a carcinogen, finishing agents with high formaldehyde emission are undesirable. In many countries, legal regulations have been introduced and upper limits set for free and releasable formaldehyde (formaldehyde limits).