Mixed catalysts in lyocell resin finishing

The purpose of this work was to investigate the effects of catalyst composition and concentration on the performance properties, resin distribution, and fibrillation tendencies of treated lyocell substrates, Woven lyocell fabrics were subjected to treatments with a dimethylol dihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU)-based crosslinking reagent using three mixtures of magnesium chloride RgCl(2)) and sodium tetrafluoroborate (NaBF4) catalyst (at weight ratios 100:0, 99.4:0.6, or 98.8:1.2) at two concentration levels (18 or 36 g/L). Neither catalyst concentration nor composition influenced resin add-on, but substrates resin-finished with mixed catalysts exhibited a higher surface concentration of resin. Both catalyst concentration and composition exerted a strong influence on substrate strength, but did not influence crease recovery. Resin finishing significantly reduced the fibrillation tendency of treated substrates, with a stronger effect being observed in treatments using mixed catalysts.