Polycabroxyl acids in crease-proof finishing

The possibilities of application and the development of polycarboxyl acids, as formaldehyde-free agents for crease-proof finishing of cotton fabrics are presented. Ecologically speaking, these agents are highly acceptable, while the problem of rather high costs for the agents with the best results is being solved in various ways. Attempts have been made to obtain the highest effects of the treatment, such as those produced by using butantetracarboxyl acid, using some cheaper chemicals, like citric acid. Polycarboxyl acids are further modified adding phosphates, to get even better catalytic effects, which results in better treatment, too. The possibilities of crease-proof treatments with simultaneous addition of dyestuffs or animicrobal agents have been investigated recently. As the treatment with polycarboxyl acids offers highly appreciable effects, application of these chemicals in industrial practice will probably follow rather soon.