Process for Finishing Textiles

Abstract

The instant invention relates to a process for the finishing of textiles with a non formaldehyde cross-linking agent based on 2-imidazolidinones wherein by certain process parameters in drying and curing the undesired yellowing and unpleasant amine smell is avoided.

1 . A process for finishing textiles comprising the steps of:
 a) impregnating a cellulose containing fabric under acidic conditions with a bath containing a catalyst or a mixture of catalysts and either the cis or trans isomer type or mixtures thereof of a non-formaldehyde cross-linking agent of formula (I)   
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein
 X is O or S, 
 R 1 , R 2  are the same or different and are
 linear or branched C 1 -C 20 -alkyl, 
 
 or
 linear or branched C 2 -C 20 -alkyl, substituted by at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of: hydroxyl, amino, carboxyl, amide, ester, ether, and halogen, 
 
 R 3 , R 4  are the same or different and may be part of the same ring structure and are H 
 or
 linear or branched C 1 -C 20 -alkyl, 
 
 or 
 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       
         wherein 
         n is 1-20, and 
         R 5  is H or linear or branched chain alkyl C 1 -C 4 , 
       
       to form an impregnated cellulose containing fabric, 
       b) drying the impregnated cellulose containing fabric at a temperature of 130° C. or below to a residual moisture content of from 3 to 30%, and 
       c) curing the dried impregnated cellulose containing fabric at a temperature of 50° C. or below. 
     
   
   
       2 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein
 X is O,   R 1 , R 2  are the same or different and are
 linear or branched C 1 -C 8 -alkyl, 
   or
 linear or branched C 2 -C 8 -alkyl, substituted by at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of: hydroxyl, amino, carboxyl, amide, ester, ether, and halogen, 
   R 3 , R 4  are the same or different and are H
 or 
 linear or branched C 1 -C 8 alkyl, 
   or   
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       
         wherein 
         n is 1-6, and 
         R 5  is H. 
       
     
   
   
       3 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein
 X is O,   R 1  and R 2  are methyl,   R 3  and R 4  are H or —CH 2 —CH 2 —OH.   
   
   
       4 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the non-formaldehyde cross-linking agent of formula (I) is 1,3-Dimethyl-4,5-dihydroxy-2-imidazolidinone. 
   
   
       5 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a) the impregnating step is done in a bath containing from 30 to 500 g/l of the non-formaldehyde cross-linking agent of formula (I), a pH below 3,   b) the drying step is done at a temperature below 100° C. to a residual moisture content of from 5 to 15%,   c) the curing step is done at a temperature below 40° C. for 5 to 30 hours.   
   
   
       6 . A process according  claim 1 , wherein
 a) the impregnating step is done in a bath containing from 10 to 300 g/l of the non-formaldehyde cross-linking agent of formula (I), at a pH below 2,   b) the drying step is done at a temperature below 100° C. to a residual moisture content of from 5 to 15%,   c) the curing step is done at a temperature below 40° C. for 5 to 30 hours.   
   
   
       7 . A process according  claim 1 , wherein
 a) the impregnating step is done in a bath containing from 10 to 300 g/l of the non-formaldehyde cross-linking agent of formula (I), at a pH from 0.8 to 1.5,   b) the drying step is done at a temperature from 60 to 90° C. to a residual moisture content of from 6 to 10%,   c) the curing step is done at a temperature below 40° C. for 15 to 25 hours and the fabric is kept under rotation.   
   
   
       8 . A process according  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is treated with an additional top-finish. 
   
   
       9 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst or mixture of catalysts is selected from the group consisting of: hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and ammonium chloride. 
   
   
       10 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the impregnating bath further comprises wetting agents, lubricants or softening agents. 
   
   
       11 . A textile obtained from a process according to  claim 1 .