CHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF FEATHER FILLING MATERIALS WITH WENER TYPE CHROMIUM COMPLEXES

摘要

A treatment for feathers has been developed which is applicable to both chicken and waterfowl feathers. This treatment improves the filling power of the feathers when compared to untreated waterfowl feathers, both before and after laundering. The treatment involves the use of a tanning agent to improve the filling power and a water repellent to improve laundering durability. Feathers treated by this process, in addition to increased filling power and water repellency, are exceptionally clean and will not develop an odor, even when wet. Mixtures containing 40% of treated chicken feathers and 60% of the standard 40/60 waterfowl down and feather mixture have been evaluated in field tests as a filler for sleeping bags, and have been found to be at least equal to, and in some cases superior to, the standard 40/60 waterfowl mixture.