Patent GB-708815-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to setting and stiffening fabrics
Inventor: MECKLENBURGH GEORGE KELVIN
IPC: D06M11/155
Filed: 1951-02-01
Abstract: Fabrics consisting at least mainly of a synthetic linear polymer, e.g. a polyamide, polyester, polyurea or polyurethane, are set and/or stiffened and, in addition, are given an improved abrasion resistance and dimensional stability, a reduced tendency to thread-slippage and a delustred appearance, by applying, locally if desired, an aqueous solution of a salt of an amphoteric metal, having a colourless oxide, with an inorganic acid boiling below 100 DEG  C., e.g. zinc chloride or nitrate, stannous chloride or aluminium chloride, and then heating in a hot dry zone at a temperature lying 10 DEG  to 170 DEG  C. below the melting point of the polymer, while the fabric is maintained in the desired shape.  The fabric initially treated may be in a set or unset condition.  The solution may be acidified, e.g. with hydrochloric or acetic acid, any residual acid on the fabric being subsequently neutralized with a mild alkali, e.g. sodium carbonate. Swelling agents for the polymer, e.g. benzyl alcohol, phenol and m-cresol, may be added to the salt solution.  Heating may be effected by hot air, superheated steam, heated rollers or infra-red radiation. The fabric may be held in the desired shape by a stentor. Alternatively, the heating operation may be effected on a pleated fabric.  Numerous examples are given.  Specification 708,814 is referred to.  The first Provisional Specification refers also to the treatment of polyamide fabrics with an aqueous solution of a salt of calcium, mercury or cadmium, e.g. calcium chloride or nitrate or mercury nitrate.  Specified additional swelling agents which may be added to the salt solution are ethylene glycol, glycerol, a -dichlorhydrin, b -dichlorhydrin, aniline, p-toluidine, b -naphthol, o-phenylenediamine and sulphuric acid.ALSO:Fabrics consisting at least mainly of a synthetic linear polymer, e.g. a polyamide, polyester, polyurea or polyurethene, are set and/or stiffened and, in addition, are given an improved abrasion resistance and dimensional stability, a reduced tendency to thread-slippage and a delustred appearance, by applying, locally if desired, an aqueous solution of a salt of an amphoteric metal, having a colourless oxide, with an inorganic acid boiling below 100 DEG C, e.g., zinc chloride or nitrate, stannous chloride or aluminium chloride, and then heating in a hot dry zone at a temperature lying 10 DEG  to 170 DEG C below the melting point of the polymer, while the fabric is maintained in the desired shape.  The fabric initially treated may be in a set or unset condition.  The solution may be acidified, e.g. with hydrochloric or acetic acid, any residual acid on the fabric being subsequently neutralized with a mild alkali, e.g. sodium carbonate.  Swelling agents for the polymer, e.g. benzyl alcohol, phenol or m-cresol, may be added to the salt solution.  Heating may be effected by hot air, superheated steam, heated rollers or infra-red radiation.  The fabric may be held in the desired shape by a pin stenter. Alternatively, the heating operation may be effected on a pleated fabric.  Numerous examples are given.  Specification 708,814 [Group IV(a)], is referred to.  The first Provisional Specification refers also to the treatment of polyamide fabrics with an aqueous solution of a salt of calcium, mercury or cadmium, e.g. calcium chloride or nitrate or mercury nitrate.  Specified additional swelling agents which may be added to the salt solution are ethylene glycol, glycerol, a -dichlorhydrin, b -dichlorhydrin, aniline, p-toluidine, b -naphthol, o-phenylenediamine and sulphuric acid.