EP0263852A1 - Production of polyester fabrics resembling wool - Google Patents

Production of polyester fabrics resembling wool

Info

Publication number
EP0263852A1
EP0263852A1 EP19870902267 EP87902267A EP0263852A1 EP 0263852 A1 EP0263852 A1 EP 0263852A1 EP 19870902267 EP19870902267 EP 19870902267 EP 87902267 A EP87902267 A EP 87902267A EP 0263852 A1 EP0263852 A1 EP 0263852A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
polyester
fabric
fibers
process according
wool
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19870902267
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Samir Hussamy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Burlington Industries Inc
Original Assignee
Burlington Industries Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Burlington Industries Inc filed Critical Burlington Industries Inc
Publication of EP0263852A1 publication Critical patent/EP0263852A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M11/00—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereof; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising
    • D06M11/32—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereof; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising with oxygen, ozone, ozonides, oxides, hydroxides or percompounds; Salts derived from anions with an amphoteric element-oxygen bond
    • D06M11/36—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereof; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising with oxygen, ozone, ozonides, oxides, hydroxides or percompounds; Salts derived from anions with an amphoteric element-oxygen bond with oxides, hydroxides or mixed oxides; with salts derived from anions with an amphoteric element-oxygen bond
    • D06M11/38—Oxides or hydroxides of elements of Groups 1 or 11 of the Periodic Table

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a process for chemically modifying polyester fibers to produce polyester textile materials having soft, dry, and warm handle similar to that of wool.
  • the caustic treatment process results in caustic hydrolysis of the ester groups on the outside surface of the polyester fiber. Concentration of the caustic alkali, time and temperature of treatment, the presence of small amounts of specified quaternary ammonium salts, and the heat history of the fiber are all important factors which affect the hydrolysis reaction and consequently the percentage weight loss and thinning achieved. Wool, on the other hand, proved more difficult to imitate than silk, and the task of producing synthetic textile materials with wool-like handle was left to the textile technologist to accomplish in practice. This has been achieved by fabric construction, i.e., different spinning methods and texturlzing techniques, and fabric finishing processes such as sanding, brushing napping, cropping and decatizing.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a process for improving the aesthetics and properties of textile materials composed of polymeric polyesters.
  • a further object is to produce textile materials composed of the same polyester possessing a natural dry and warm handle similar to that of wool.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a treatment process in which the resulting fiber •surface, when viewed microscopically, is provided with a series of scales or micro-craters resembling the appearance of the wool fiber surface when similarly viewed.
  • Still another object is to produce polyester fabrics with a very soft handle.
  • FIGURES 1 A, B and C are SEM photographs of the fiber ⁇ f Example 1 prepared according to the invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is a SEM photograph of the fiber of Example 2 prepared according to the invention.
  • FIGURE 3 is a SEM photograph of the fiber of Example 3 prepared according to the invention.
  • FIGURES 4 A and B are SEM photographs of the untreated polyester fiber used in Examples 1-7;
  • FIGURES 5 A and B are SEM photographs of the fiber of Example 5 (comparative) treated with caustic soda only and not according to the invention.
  • FIGURE 6 is a SEM photograph of the product of ⁇ xample 6 (comparative) treated with amine only and not according to the invention.
  • FIGURE 7 is a SEM photograph of the product of Example 7 (comparative) treated with amine only and not according to the invention
  • FIGURES 8 A, B and C are SEM photographs of a fiber treated according to Example 8 of the invention.
  • polyester textiles are treated to have a soft, dry and warm handle similar to that of wool by chemically modifying the surface of the polyester fiber and creating micro-craters on its surface.
  • the polyester fibers which may be treated according to the present invention have a terephthaloyl group in their molecular repeat unit and are obtained by polycondensation of terephthalic acid, a low aliphatic ester of terephthalic acid or their derivatives with glycols having 2 - 10 carbon atoms in their aliphatic chain as well as from certain cylic glycols. Minor amounts of other divalent compounds copolymerisable with the terephthaloyl group may be incorporated'in amounts up to 15% by weight, such as isophthalic acid or its derivatives and sebasic acid.
  • polyester for which this invention is particularly suitable and which is referred to in the following examples is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) commercially available from several sources such as Dacron, a registered trademark of E.I duPont, Fortrel, a registered trademark of Celanese, or Kodel, a registered trademark of Eastman Kodak.
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • Blends of polyester with natural fibers typically used to prepare fabrics may also be treated according to the present invention. Such blends include those composed of polyester and cellulosic fibers, e.g.,
  • polyester and 50% cotton 65% polyester and 35% cotton; 50% polyester and 50% cotton.
  • Fabric and fiber blends of polyester with polyamide fibers, e.g., 50% polyester and 50% nylon may also be treated according to the invenion.
  • the polyester fibers are treated with the active materials in solution form.
  • the fiber treatment solutions hereinafter referred to are aqueous • solutions, however it will be appreciated that other hydroxylated liquids, which are soluble or miscible with water, may be used.
  • Examples of the amine which can be present in the solution include methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, n-propylamine, di-n-propylamine, tri-n-propylamine, n-butylamine, n-amylamine, n-octylamine, n-hexylamine, nonylamine, laurylamine, ethylenediamine, trimethylenediamine, tetramethylenediamine, pentamethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, propylenediamine, butylenediamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenetetramine, hexamethylenediamine, and N,N,N, 'N' -tetramethyl 1,3-butanedi mine.
  • Aromatic amines such as aniline
  • Suitable .amounts of the amine component range from about 0.05% to about 5% by weight with preferred amounts in the range of 0.05 to 1% by weight.
  • the alkali metal hydroxides present in the solution include sodium, potassium and lithium hydroxides.
  • Other alkaline agents such as sodium and potassium carbonates, alkali metal bicarbonates such as sodium bicarbonate, sodium trichloracetate, barium hydroxide, sodium silicate and trisodium phosphate can also be present in the solution.
  • a suitable caustic alkali solution which is preferred is sodium hydroxide in water.
  • the amount of the alkali metal hydroxide, typically sodium hydroxide, in the solution may be varied over a wide range, for example between about 0.1 and about 40% by weight.
  • Preferred amounts of sodium hydroxide are between 1 and about • 5% by weight.
  • the concentrations of the alkali and the amine in the solution depend upon the duration of the treatment and the temperature thereof, with lower concentrations being particularly useful with elevated temperatures under pressure and with longer treatment times.
  • the temperature of the treatment may vary from about 50°C to about 200°C at atmospheric conditions or under pressure.
  • the preferred temperature of the treatment may vary between about 100 to about 125°C, either at atmospheric conditions or under pressure.
  • the treatment may be applied to fibers in stock, tow or filament form, with or without tension, as well as in fabric form before or after dyeing.
  • the treatment can also be carried out continuously on fabrics or yarns utilizing equipment such as high temperature steamers.
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • Figs. 1 A, B and C are various SEM views of a fiber treated according to this example which are to be compared with the untreated fiber of Figs. 4A and B.
  • Example 2 The procedure of Example 1 was repeated using an aqueous solution containing 2.3% caustic soda and 0.6% 1,6-hexanediamine. The resultant fabric lost approximately 32% of its original weight and acquired the desirable natural soft, dry, and warm handle similar to that of wool. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of the treated fabric indicates that the fiber surface was modified from a smooth surface into one which has countless micro-craters. See SEM photograph Fig. 2.
  • Example 2 The procedure of Example 1 was repeated and the fabric was treated for a period of one hour at 121°C with an aqueous solution containing 2.3% caustic soda and 0.6% 1,6-hexanediamine using a 17.5:1 liquor to goods ratio.
  • the resultant fabric • lost approximately 49% of its original weight and acquired a much superior natural soft, dry, and warm handle similar to that of wool.
  • Example 1 The procedure of Example 1 was repeated treating the fabric for a period of 30 minutes at 121°C with an aqueous solution containing 1.9% caustic soda and 0.25% n-octylamine.
  • the resultant fabric lost approximately 16.9% of its original weight and acquired the desirable natural soft, dry and warm 0 handle similar to that of wool.
  • Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of the treated fabric indicated that the fiber surface was modified from a smooth surface into one which had countless micro-craters.
  • Example 1 The procedure of Example 1 was repeated treating the fabric for a period of 30 minutes at 121°C with an aqueous solution containing 2.3% caustic soda. No o amine was present in the treatment solution. The resultant fabric lost approximately 16% of its original weight and the fabric acquired a smoother handle. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of the treated fabric revealed that the 5 fiber surface had only been very slightly etched and did not contain any scales characteristic of natural • wool fibers. See the SEM photographs of Figs. 5A and B.
  • EXAMPLE 6 (Comparative) 0 he procedure of Example 1 was repeated treating the fabric for a period of 30 minutes at 121°C with an aqueous solution containing 0.6% 1, 6-hexanediamine. No alkali was present in the treatment solution. The treated fabric lost no weight and the fabric handle was not affected. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of the treated fabric indicated that no surface modification had taken place and the fiber surface was smooth. See the SEM photograph of Fig. 6.
  • EXAMPLE 7 (Comparative) The procedure of Example 1 was repeated treating the fabric for a period of 30 minutes at 121°C with an aqueous solution containing 0.8% N,N,N, * N' -tetramethyl- 1,3-butanedi mine. The treated fabric lost no weight and the fabric handle was not affected. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of the treated fabric indicated that no surface modification had taken place and the fiber surface was smooth. See the SEM photograph of Fig. 7.
  • EXAMPLE 8 A (PET) polyester lightweight fabric weighing about 2.3 ounces per square yard and constructed from texturized continuous filament (one ply/34 filament yarns of 70 denier) was treated for a period of 30 minutes at 121°C with an aqueous solution containing 2.3% caustic soda and 0.7% ethylamine

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical Or Physical Treatment Of Fibers (AREA)

Abstract

La surface de fibre contenant du polyester est modifiée chimiquement en utilisant une solution contenant de 1 à 40% en poids d'un hydroxyde de métal alcalin, en général de l'hydroxyde de carbone, et une quantité plus petite comprise entre 0,1 et 5% en poids d'une amine. Les fibres contenant du polyester sont exposés à la solution hydroxyde/amine dans des conditions telles que cette surface de fibre contenant du polyester normalement lisse est transformée en une surface contenant une pluralité de micro-cratères distribués de manière sensiblement régulière sur la surface des fibres. Un tissu contenant du polyester ayant un toucher naturel doux, sec et chaud, ressemblant à de la laine, est obtenu.The polyester-containing fiber surface is chemically modified using a solution containing from 1 to 40% by weight of an alkali metal hydroxide, generally carbon hydroxide, and a smaller amount of between 0.1 and 5% by weight of an amine. The polyester-containing fibers are exposed to the hydroxide / amine solution under conditions such that this normally smooth polyester-containing fiber surface is transformed into a surface containing a plurality of micro-craters distributed substantially evenly over the surface of the fibers. A polyester-containing fabric having a soft, dry and warm natural feel, resembling wool, is obtained.

Description

PRODUCTION OF POLYESTER FABRICS RESEMBLING WOOL
This invention relates to a process for chemically modifying polyester fibers to produce polyester textile materials having soft, dry, and warm handle similar to that of wool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The production of synthetic textile materials with aesthetics and properties similar to those of natural fibers, in particular silk and wool, has always been the ultimate aim of the fiber polymer scientist and textile technologist. Silk, due to its popularity, scarcity, and high cost, also because comparatively speaking, it is not as complex in chemical structure as wool, which has scales on its surface and contains sulfur in variable amounts along its fiber axis, attracted more attention. Accordingly, numerous styles of fully synthetic textile materials with silk-like properties have been introduced on the market and are well established commercially. Most prominent among these fabrics, possibly due to economic factors and practicality of production, have been the polyester silky woven fabrics produced by the caustic treatment process which thins out the polyester filaments making them - iner, drapier, and softer. The caustic treatment process results in caustic hydrolysis of the ester groups on the outside surface of the polyester fiber. Concentration of the caustic alkali, time and temperature of treatment, the presence of small amounts of specified quaternary ammonium salts, and the heat history of the fiber are all important factors which affect the hydrolysis reaction and consequently the percentage weight loss and thinning achieved. Wool, on the other hand, proved more difficult to imitate than silk, and the task of producing synthetic textile materials with wool-like handle was left to the textile technologist to accomplish in practice. This has been achieved by fabric construction, i.e., different spinning methods and texturlzing techniques, and fabric finishing processes such as sanding, brushing napping, cropping and decatizing. Accordingly, a variety of synthetic textile materials with wool-like handle which are comparatively cheaper than wool fabrics have been introduced on the market and are well established commercially. The main drawback in this case is the fact that all these specialty or extra operations are costly, hence not economically favorable. An object of the present invention is to provide a process for improving the aesthetics and properties of textile materials composed of polymeric polyesters. A further object is to produce textile materials composed of the same polyester possessing a natural dry and warm handle similar to that of wool. Another object of this invention is to provide a treatment process in which the resulting fiber •surface, when viewed microscopically, is provided with a series of scales or micro-craters resembling the appearance of the wool fiber surface when similarly viewed. Still another object is to produce polyester fabrics with a very soft handle. Other objects will be apparent from the detailed description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is illustrated by the attached drawings are scanning electron microscope photographs of fibers in which:
FIGURES 1 A, B and C are SEM photographs of the fiber υf Example 1 prepared according to the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a SEM photograph of the fiber of Example 2 prepared according to the invention;
FIGURE 3 is a SEM photograph of the fiber of Example 3 prepared according to the invention;
FIGURES 4 A and B are SEM photographs of the untreated polyester fiber used in Examples 1-7;
FIGURES 5 A and B are SEM photographs of the fiber of Example 5 (comparative) treated with caustic soda only and not according to the invention; and
FIGURE 6 is a SEM photograph of the product of Εxample 6 (comparative) treated with amine only and not according to the invention;
FIGURE 7 is a SEM photograph of the product of Example 7 (comparative) treated with amine only and not according to the invention; and FIGURES 8 A, B and C are SEM photographs of a fiber treated according to Example 8 of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, polyester textiles are treated to have a soft, dry and warm handle similar to that of wool by chemically modifying the surface of the polyester fiber and creating micro-craters on its surface.
It has now been found that the formation of micro-craters and scales on the surface of the polyester fiber, when viewed microscopically, can be achieved in practice by treating the polyester fiber with a solution comprising an amine and an alkali metal hydroxide. As a result of the treatment, a portion of the polyester fiber is hydrolized resulting in a loss in weight typically ranging in the area of about 17 to 50%. The formation of the micro-craters and scales on the surface of the polyester fiber can only be achieved when both the amine and the alkali metal hydroxide are present in the treatment solution. When the polyester fiber is treated only with the alkali metal hydroxide solution, the polyester fiber is hydrolized on the surface, and thinned becoming finer and silkier in handle. Treatment of the polyester fiber with the • -amine solution alone does not result in any weight loss or surface modification, thus a combination of the two components is essential.
The polyester fibers which may be treated according to the present invention have a terephthaloyl group in their molecular repeat unit and are obtained by polycondensation of terephthalic acid, a low aliphatic ester of terephthalic acid or their derivatives with glycols having 2 - 10 carbon atoms in their aliphatic chain as well as from certain cylic glycols. Minor amounts of other divalent compounds copolymerisable with the terephthaloyl group may be incorporated'in amounts up to 15% by weight, such as isophthalic acid or its derivatives and sebasic acid. The polyester for which this invention is particularly suitable and which is referred to in the following examples is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) commercially available from several sources such as Dacron, a registered trademark of E.I duPont, Fortrel, a registered trademark of Celanese, or Kodel, a registered trademark of Eastman Kodak. Blends of polyester with natural fibers typically used to prepare fabrics may also be treated according to the present invention. Such blends include those composed of polyester and cellulosic fibers, e.g.,
65% polyester and 35% cotton; 50% polyester and 50% cotton. Fabric and fiber blends of polyester with polyamide fibers, e.g., 50% polyester and 50% nylon may also be treated according to the invenion. The polyester fibers are treated with the active materials in solution form. The fiber treatment solutions hereinafter referred to are aqueous •solutions, however it will be appreciated that other hydroxylated liquids, which are soluble or miscible with water, may be used. Examples of the amine which can be present in the solution, include methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, n-propylamine, di-n-propylamine, tri-n-propylamine, n-butylamine, n-amylamine, n-octylamine, n-hexylamine, nonylamine, laurylamine, ethylenediamine, trimethylenediamine, tetramethylenediamine, pentamethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, propylenediamine, butylenediamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenetetramine, hexamethylenediamine, and N,N,N, 'N' -tetramethyl 1,3-butanedi mine. Aromatic amines, such as aniline, can also be present in the treatment solution. Suitable .amounts of the amine component range from about 0.05% to about 5% by weight with preferred amounts in the range of 0.05 to 1% by weight. Examples of the alkali metal hydroxides present in the solution include sodium, potassium and lithium hydroxides. Other alkaline agents such as sodium and potassium carbonates, alkali metal bicarbonates such as sodium bicarbonate, sodium trichloracetate, barium hydroxide, sodium silicate and trisodium phosphate can also be present in the solution. A suitable caustic alkali solution which is preferred is sodium hydroxide in water. The amount of the alkali metal hydroxide, typically sodium hydroxide, in the solution may be varied over a wide range, for example between about 0.1 and about 40% by weight. Preferred amounts of sodium hydroxide are between 1 and about • 5% by weight.
The concentrations of the alkali and the amine in the solution, to an extent, depend upon the duration of the treatment and the temperature thereof, with lower concentrations being particularly useful with elevated temperatures under pressure and with longer treatment times. The temperature of the treatment may vary from about 50°C to about 200°C at atmospheric conditions or under pressure. The preferred temperature of the treatment may vary between about 100 to about 125°C, either at atmospheric conditions or under pressure.
The treatment may be applied to fibers in stock, tow or filament form, with or without tension, as well as in fabric form before or after dyeing. The treatment can also be carried out continuously on fabrics or yarns utilizing equipment such as high temperature steamers.
The following examples, in which all parts and percentages are by weight and temperatures reported in degrees centigrade, serve to further illustrate but not limit the invention.
EXAMPLE 1
A 100% polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polyester fabric weighing about 7.0 ounces per square yard and constructed from texturized continuous filament
2 ply/30 filaments per ply yarns of 150 denier was treated for a period of 30 minutes at 121°C with an aqueous solution containing 2.3% caustic soda and 0.8% N,N,N, *N' -tetramethyll,3-butanediamine using a 17.5:1 liquor to goods ratio. The fabric was then •cooled and washed thoroughly with hot and cold water, and finally dried. The resultant fabric lost approximately 34% of its original weight during the caustic/amine treatment.
The thus treated fabric exhibited a much more desirable natural soft, dry, and warm handle similar to that of wool. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of the treated fabric revealed that the fiber surface was modified from its previously smooth surface into one which had countless micro-craters. Figs. 1 A, B and C are various SEM views of a fiber treated according to this example which are to be compared with the untreated fiber of Figs. 4A and B.
EXAMPLE 2 The procedure of Example 1 was repeated using an aqueous solution containing 2.3% caustic soda and 0.6% 1,6-hexanediamine. The resultant fabric lost approximately 32% of its original weight and acquired the desirable natural soft, dry, and warm handle similar to that of wool. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of the treated fabric indicates that the fiber surface was modified from a smooth surface into one which has countless micro-craters. See SEM photograph Fig. 2.
EXAMPLE 3
The procedure of Example 1 was repeated and the fabric was treated for a period of one hour at 121°C with an aqueous solution containing 2.3% caustic soda and 0.6% 1,6-hexanediamine using a 17.5:1 liquor to goods ratio. The resultant fabric • lost approximately 49% of its original weight and acquired a much superior natural soft, dry, and warm handle similar to that of wool. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of the treated fabric indicated that the fiber surface had been modified from a smooth surface into one which has countless micro-craters and scales. See SEM photograph of Fig. 3.
EXAMPLE 4
The procedure of Example 1 was repeated treating the fabric for a period of 30 minutes at 121°C with an aqueous solution containing 1.9% caustic soda and 0.25% n-octylamine. The resultant fabric lost approximately 16.9% of its original weight and acquired the desirable natural soft, dry and warm 0 handle similar to that of wool. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of the treated fabric indicated that the fiber surface was modified from a smooth surface into one which had countless micro-craters.
5 EXAMPLE 5
The procedure of Example 1 was repeated treating the fabric for a period of 30 minutes at 121°C with an aqueous solution containing 2.3% caustic soda. No o amine was present in the treatment solution. The resultant fabric lost approximately 16% of its original weight and the fabric acquired a smoother handle. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of the treated fabric revealed that the 5 fiber surface had only been very slightly etched and did not contain any scales characteristic of natural •wool fibers. See the SEM photographs of Figs. 5A and B.
EXAMPLE 6 (Comparative) 0 he procedure of Example 1 was repeated treating the fabric for a period of 30 minutes at 121°C with an aqueous solution containing 0.6% 1, 6-hexanediamine. No alkali was present in the treatment solution. The treated fabric lost no weight and the fabric handle was not affected. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of the treated fabric indicated that no surface modification had taken place and the fiber surface was smooth. See the SEM photograph of Fig. 6.
EXAMPLE 7 (Comparative) The procedure of Example 1 was repeated treating the fabric for a period of 30 minutes at 121°C with an aqueous solution containing 0.8% N,N,N, *N' -tetramethyl- 1,3-butanedi mine. The treated fabric lost no weight and the fabric handle was not affected. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of the treated fabric indicated that no surface modification had taken place and the fiber surface was smooth. See the SEM photograph of Fig. 7.
EXAMPLE 8 A (PET) polyester lightweight fabric weighing about 2.3 ounces per square yard and constructed from texturized continuous filament (one ply/34 filament yarns of 70 denier) was treated for a period of 30 minutes at 121°C with an aqueous solution containing 2.3% caustic soda and 0.7% ethylamine
•using 17.5 : 1 liquor to goods ratio. The fabric is then processed as described in Example 1. The treated fabric lost about 34% of its original weight during the caustic/amine treatment. The resultant fabric had a superior soft handle and scanning electron microscope examination indicated the presence of countless micro-craters on the fiber surface. See the SEM photographs of Figs. 8 A, B and C.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A process for producing a polyester fabric having a natural soft, dry, and warm handle similar to that of wool which process comprises:
(a) contacting a smooth surfaced polyester containing fabric with an aqueous solution containing about 1.0 to about 40% of an alkali metal hydroxide and about 0.1 to about 5% by weight of an amine, and
(b) continuing said contact until the original smooth surface of the polyester fiber when viewed microscopically is converted to a plurality of micro-craters substantially regularly distributed on the fiber surface thereby imparting to the fabric a natural soft, dry and warm handle similar to that of wool.
2. The process according to claim 1 in which the alkali metal hydroxide is selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and lithium hydroxide.
3. The process according to claim 1 in which the amine is selected from the group consisting of methylamine, dimethylamine, tetra ethy1amine, ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, n-propylamine, di-n-propylamine, tri-n-propylamine, n-butylamine, n-amylamine, n-octylamine, n-hexylamine, nonyl mine, laurylamine, ethylenediamine, trimethylenediamine, tetramethylenediamine, pentamethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, propylenediamine, butylenediamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethano1amine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenetetramine, hexamethylenediamine, and N,N,N, "N' -tetramethyl- 1,3-butanediamine.
4. A process fabrics according to claim 1 in which the solution contains about 1 to about 3% sodium hydroxide and about 0.2 to about 0.8% n-octylamine.
5. A process for treating fabrics according to claim 1 in which the solution contains about 1 to about 3% sodium hydroxide and about 0.4 to about 0.8%
1, 6-hexanediamine.
6. A process according to claim 1 in which the solution contains about 1 to about 3% sodium hydroxide and 0.4 to about 0.8%
N,N,N, " * -tetramethyl- 1,3-butanedi mine.
7. The process according to claim 1 in which the solution is maintained at a temperature of at least 50°C during treatment.
8. The process according to claim 1 in which the fabric is 100% polyethylene terephthalate.
9. The process according to claim 1 in which the fabric is of a polyester blended with cellulosic fibers.
10. The process according to claim 9 in which the cellulosic fibers are selected from the group consisting of cotton, viscose rayon and regenerated cellulose.
11. The process of claim 1 in which the fabric is of a polyester blended with nylon fibers.
12. The process according to claim 1 in which the polyester fabric is treated on a jet Beck dyeing machine at a temperature up to 130°C under elevated pressure.
13. The process according to claim 1 in which the polyester fabric is treated continuously on a high temperature steamer.
14. The process according to claim 1 in which the polyester-containing fabric is made of texturized continuous filament polyester yarns.
15. The process of claim 1 in which the polyester-containing fabric is made of flat continuous filament polyester yarns.
16. The process according to claim 1 in which the treatment is carried out on polyester staple
•fibers, and thereafter said fibers are processed into yarns and fabrics.
17. A process for treating polyester-containing fibers in stock, tow or filament form to impart a natural soft, dry and warm handle similar to that of wool to the treated fibers, said process comprising the steps of:
(a) contacting stock, tow or filament polyester-containing fibers with an aqueous solution containing about 1.0 to about 40% by weight of an alkali metal hydroxide and about 0.1 to about 5% by weight of an amine, and
(b) continuing said contact until the original smooth surface of the polyester-containing fibers when viewed microscopically is converted to a plurality of micro-craters substantially regularly distributed on the fiber surface thereby imparting a natural soft, dry and warm handle similar to that of wool to the thus treated fibers.
18. Polyester-containing fibers produced by the process of claim 12 as depicted in Figure 1.
EP19870902267 1986-03-12 1987-03-12 Production of polyester fabrics resembling wool Withdrawn EP0263852A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US83905186A 1986-03-12 1986-03-12
US839051 1986-03-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0263852A1 true EP0263852A1 (en) 1988-04-20

Family

ID=25278740

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19870902267 Withdrawn EP0263852A1 (en) 1986-03-12 1987-03-12 Production of polyester fabrics resembling wool

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0263852A1 (en)
AU (1) AU7206987A (en)
WO (1) WO1987005641A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3076372B2 (en) * 1995-02-28 2000-08-14 帝人株式会社 Polyester filament yarn, method for producing the same, woven / knitted material and method for producing the same

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL207353A (en) * 1955-05-23 1900-01-01
DD150488A1 (en) * 1979-06-05 1981-09-02 Rainer Teichmann PROCESS FOR SHINING REDUCTION IN TEXTILE MATERIAL OF POLYESTER TEXTURE SILK

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO8705641A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1987005641A1 (en) 1987-09-24
AU7206987A (en) 1987-10-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4808188A (en) Polyester fibers, yarns and fabrics with enhanced hydrophilicity and method of producing same with borohydride anions and lithium cations
JP2002363861A (en) Method for carrying out silk fibroin processing of fiber or fiber product
EP0263852A1 (en) Production of polyester fabrics resembling wool
US3644081A (en) Process for the treatment of polyester fiberous materials
US2586105A (en) Treatment of textile materials
CN1136352C (en) Easy-to-protect behavior modification method of wool fibre product and wool fibre product thereof
JP2749284B2 (en) Flocked cloth and manufacturing method thereof
JPH11189978A (en) Polyester fiber structure and method for producing the same
JP2674676B2 (en) Woven fabric and nonwoven fabric opening method based on conjugate fiber
US3460896A (en) Polyester fibers having improved hydrophilicity as a result of modification with phosphoric acid,phosphorous acid or perchloric acid
US3834868A (en) Process of manufacturing polyester fiber article having high pilling resistance
JP2590662B2 (en) Manufacturing method of ultra-fine fibers
JPS6219526B2 (en)
JPH0711566A (en) Production of silk-like fabric
JP2680133B2 (en) Embroidery lace and its manufacturing method
JPH11100737A (en) Bulky yarn, method for manufacturing the bulky yarn, and bulky woven knitted fabric and method for manufacturing the bulky woven knitted fabric
JPH0586573A (en) Method for pilling resistant processing of synthetic fiber product
JPH0533269A (en) Flameproofing method for cellulosic fiber cloth
JPH07150467A (en) Production of raised woven fabric
JP3395175B2 (en) Method for producing composite fiber woven / knitted fabric excellent in texture and appearance
JP2613240B2 (en) Synthetic fiber cloth processing method
JPS61231264A (en) Production of fibrile cloth material
US2384871A (en) Treatment of textile fabrics
CN1332289A (en) Method for production of shrinkability-resisting and good setting wash woolen stuff and stuff thereof
Sookne An appraisal of shrink-resistant treatments for wool

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19870215

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: HUSSAMY, SAMIR