ABSTRACT

This study developed nonphosphorus catalysts in butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) treatment of cotton for formaldehyde-free durable press (DP) finishing. Sodium salts of unsaturated dicarboxylic acids were particularly effective in enhancing DP rating and wrinkle recovery angles of the treated fabric. They included mono- or disodium fumarate, maleate, and itaconate. In most cases, these catalysts substantially improved retentions of flex abrasion resistance of the treated fabric compared with those of the fabric treated by sodium hypophosphite (SHP). Mixed systems containing these salts and SHP were also investigated. Mono- and disodium salts of saturated carboxylic acids, such as formic, oxalic, malonic, succinic, glutaric, and adipic acids, were also examined as catalysts in the BTCA treatment of cotton. They were generally more effective than sodium carbonate.