Glyoxal crosslinked cellulosic fibers having improved brightness and color

Abstract

Glyoxal crosslinked cellulosic fibers having improved brightness and color, and methods for making the fibers.

1 . A method for preparing individualized, glyoxal crosslinked cellulosic fibers having color characterized by an L value greater than about 92, comprising: 
 (a) applying only an aqueous glyoxal solution to a cellulosic fibrous web to provide a web of treated fibers;    (b) separating the web of treated fibers into individual treated fibers; and    (c) heating the individual treated fibers at a temperature and for a time sufficient to provide individualized, crosslinked cellulosic fibers having color characterized by an L value greater than about 92.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glyoxal is applied in an amount from about 0.5 to about 5 percent by weight based on the total weight of fibers.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glyoxal is applied in an amount from about 1 to about 4 percent by weight based on the weight of fibers.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature is from about 120° C. to about 165° C.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the time is from about 1 to about 20 minutes.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the crosslinked fibers have an a value greater than about −2.3 and less than about +0.2.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the crosslinked fibers have a b value less than about 7.5.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the L value is greater than about 95.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the crosslinked fibers have a brightness greater than about 80% ISO.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the crosslinked fibers have a brightness greater than about 85% ISO.