Investigation of the physico-mechanical and moisture management properties of chemically treated cotton fabrics

Cotton is noted for its absorbency, strength, and comfort; yet, it has poor crease recovery and abrasion resistance. Researchers are urged to use traditional dimethyloldihydroxylethyleneurea with multifunctional carboxylic acids as a result of this. However, due to their significant toxicity, non-formaldehyde-based crosslinkers are being used to improve the essential properties. As a result, numerous chemicals, including sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, triethylenetetramine (HY951), and 1,1,4,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA), were utilized in this experiment at varying concentrations to treat cotton materials. Considering variations in treatment, the physico-mechanical and wicking characteristics were also investigated. The drapability, crease recovery, and strength of treated cotton fabrics increase progressively from 5 and 10% concentration. In particular, cotton fabrics treated with up to 10% concentrations of sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, and BTCA improved the properties. The properties start to deteriorate after this concentration. The mechanical and physical qualities of cotton are drastically diminished with HY951 treatment. As the chemical concentration rises, the weight loss brought on by abrasion decreases. Additionally, a modest improvement in wicking characteristics was noted. It was discovered as a result that using BTCA on cotton fabric is beneficial in terms of enhancing fabric qualities.