Laurence W. Mazzeno

Studies on Permanent Creasing of Cotton Garments

the Southern Regional Research Laboratory has initiated work on the application of resin formulations to cotton garments for the express purpose of imparting permanent creases to them. In its full scope, the project has two phases: application to finished garments and application to yard goods, with resin curing in each case being accom plished on the finished garment. Advantages and disadyantages of the processes are described. Methods of application, procedures, and results are given for application of a dimethylol cyclic ethylene urea (CEU) formulation to swatches of fabric and to gar ments. Description is given of the effect of a numler of variables, such as the effect of storage on impregnated cloth, possibilities of stripping, precautions in drying and curing, durability to laundering, effect of sizing, effect of catalysts, and results using related resins in varying the formulation. Ultimate objectives are given including cooperative work with other research agencies to utilize standard drycleaning equipment for commercial application, use on yard goods, and development of non-chlorine-retentive finishes suitable for white goods in imparting permanent creases to cotton garments.

Effect of Alkaline Hydrolysis on the Properties of Cyanoethylated Cotton

Cyanoethylated cotton has been subjected to treatment with excess 1% aqueous sodium hydroxide at temperatures of 22°, 60°, and 97° C. Rates of cleavage of cyanoethyl groups at these temperatures have been determined. Resistance to rotting is destroyed by re moval of part of the cyanoethyl groups. Heat resistance is decreased by the alkaline treatment, but only to the extent that nitrogen is removed. It appears that heat resistance is directly proportional to the nitrogen content regardless of the previous history of the sample. Dyeing characteristics, measured by a differential staining technique, show reversion to the color of untreated cotton even though only half the nitrogen is removed. Physical properties are not adversely affected by alkaline hydrolysis. Tenacity in creases as groups are cleaved but does not return to the original value of the gray yarn. This is the usual case with other cellulose derivatives. The knot strength data do not indicate brittleness. Hydrolysis has little effect on elongation.

The Effect of the Distribution of Methoxyl Groups upon Some Textile Properties of Methylated Cotton Fiber

notes that methylation in the range of 19 to 26% methoxyl may produce water-soluble, or waterinsoluble, methyl cellulose, depending upon the method of introduction of the methoxyl groups. Observations such as this point to the possible importance of the distribution of substituents in the methylated fiber. Other practical considerations which influenced the selection of methylated cotton for this study were the following: Methyl groups can be readily introduced into cotton under relatively nondegrading conditions. The substituents are very stable against acid

Influence of Solvent Media upon Polymerization of a Silicone Alloy Water Repellent

A silicone alloy water repellent finish was made by the simultaneous polymerization of tetravinyl silane and methyl hydrogen siloxane carried out in four different solvents. The rate of polymerization was greater in two ketone solvents than in two hydrocarbons. The quality of the alloy as a water repellent also was affected by the solvent in which it was prepared.

Glycosidic Methoxyl Groups in Methanolyzed Cellulose

Oxidation by a glycol-cleavage reagent has proved that the acid-labile methoxyl groups in methanolyzed cellulose are linked in glycosidic combination (1 per molecule), and not in an acetal structure, which would require 2 such groups per molecule. Evidence confirming the glycosidic structure was obtained by fractionating methanolyzed cellulose to the point where number- average molecular weights must be calculated on the basis of 1 methoxyl group per molecule. The rate of removal of methoxyl groups from methanolyzed cellulose upon acid hydrolysis was reinvestigated. The rate is roughly comparable to the rate of hydrolysis of methyl gluco pyranosides. These findings contradict the basis for a claim, based on copper-number deter minations, that the methoxyl groups of methanolyzed cellulose are very rapidly hydrolyzed and are of the acetal type.

The Heterogeneous Hydrolysis of Methyl Cellulose

A plot of the Steele and Pacsu rate constants vs. degrees of polymerization (D.P.’s) from their 60°C experiment showed a linear relationship, and interpolation on the best straight line gave rate constants at 60°C for D.P.’s that corresponded exactly with those obtained in their 80°C experiment. The ratio of these rate constants at the two temperatures and equal D.P.’s represents the temperature coefficient (20°C interval) for the reaction. A series of values for the temperature coefficient was obtained, and substitution of these into the integrated form of the Arrhenius equation gave apparent activation energies. These values are given in Table I. Inspection of the table reveals no significant trend in temperature coefficients and apparent activation energies. Obviously, the simplest explanation of these data is that the degradation is brought about by a single reaction having an apparent activation energy of approximately 18 kg.-cal. per mol. It is interesting to note that this activation energy is simi-

Decreasing the Acid Degradation of Cotton Sewing Thread

The prevention of the acid degradation of industrial cotton fabrics is a problem of considerable importance, since such degradation often causes serious financial loss. Some data gathered during an investigation of a special phase of the acid hydrolysis which occurs in the cotton sewing thread used to sew paper bags for certain types of fertilizer may prove of help in the eventual solution of the problem.