Crosslinking of cotton with DMDMDHEU in the presence of sodium chloride

A crosslinking treatment is reported for cotton fabric with dimethyldimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDMDHEU) in the presence of various amounts of sodium chloride using a pad-dry-cure process. The crosslinked fabric and a control are studied for various physicochemical properties using standard methods. The distribution of crosslinks per anhydroglucose unit and the length of crosslinks are calculated from formaldehyde and nitrogen contents. Both number and length of crosslinks decrease with increased NaCl concentration in the pad bath. Self-condensation of resin and surface distribution(on the treated fabrics) are evident for fabric samples treated in the presence of sodium chloride. The relationships between various treated fabric properties are also considered.