Patent GB-1093145-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to the treatment of textile materials comprising keratinous fibres
Inventor: WSZOLEK WALTER ROBERT
IPC: D06M15/227
Filed: 1965-01-06
Abstract: A composition suitable for use in shrink-proofing keratinous fibres comprises a solution or emulsion of an emulsifiable a -olefin polymeric material containing 0.1-4 milli-equivalents of carbonyl groups per gram and a polyfunctional compound containing at least two alkaline-reacting primary amino groups. The emulsifiable a -olefin polymeric material is an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene with other a -olefins containing at least 50 mole per cent of ethylene or a polymer of these general types which contains carboxylic acid, ester or anhydride groups which has been obtained by emulsion polymerization or contains 0.1-2 milliequivalents of carboxyl groups/g. of polymeric material, an oxidized, e.g. using air and/or ozone, so that it contains 0.1-4 milliequivalents of carbonyl groups, i.e. aldehyde or ketone groups, per gram.  The carboxyl groups may be introduced into the polymer by copolymerizing the ethylene with a monomer containing a carboxyl group, e.g. a ,b -unsaturated carboxylic acids and their esters and anhydrides such as acrylic and methacrylic acids, maleic anhydride and diethyl fumarate, or by oxidation.  The polyfunctional compound containing at least two amine groups is preferably hydrazine although examples of other suitable compounds and precursors thereof are given.  Oxidized polyethylenes containing carbonyl and carboxyl groups may be emulsified in a continuous aqueous phase in the presence of anionic, cationic or non-ionic emulsifying agents, examples to which are given, and sufficient base to neutralize the carboxyl groups. Suitable organic solvents when the composition is in the form of a solution are xylene, toluene, n-octane and trichloroethylene.ALSO:Keratinous fibres, e.g. wool, are shrink-proofed by impregnating them with an emulsifiable a -olefin polymeric material which is an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene with other a -olefins containing at least 50 mole per cent of ethylene or a polymer of these general types which contains carboxylic acid, ester or anhydride or carbonyl groups i.e. aldehyde or ketone groups, and has been obtained by emulsion polymerization or contains 0.1 - 2 milliequivalents of carboxyl groups g. of polymeric material and then consolidating the polymeric material on the fibres. The polymeric material may be applied as an aqueous emulsion, or organic solvent solution e.g. in xylene, toluene, n-octane or trichloroethylene and the consolidation effected by removing the water or solvent.  The carboxyl groups may be introduced into the polymer by copolymerising the ethylene with a polymerisable monomer ccontaining a carboxyl group, e.g. a , b -unsaturated carboxylic acids and their esters and anhydrides such as acrylic and methacrylic acids, maleic anhydride and diethyl fumarate. Alternatively the ethylene polymer may be oxidised to introduce carboxyl and carbonyl groups.  If the polymer contains 0.1 - 4 milliequivalents of carbonyl groups g. of oxidized polymer it may be cross-linked or cured with a compound containing at least two alkaline-reacting primary amino groups or a precursor thereof, examples of which are given, which may be applied before, simultaneously with or after the polymeric material.  The curing may be effected at 20 DEG -200 DEG C.  Oxidised polyethylenes containing carbonyl and carboxyl groups may be emulsified in a continuous aqueous phase in the presence of anionic, cationic or non-ionic emulsifying agents, examples of which are given, and sufficient base to neutralize the carboxyl groups.  Wool or mohair in the form of fibres, rovings, threads, yarns, woven or knitted fabrics, alone or in admixture with up to 50% by weight of fibres derived from casein, peanut protein or soybean protein, cotton, viscose rayon, linen nylon or cellulose acetate fibres, may be treated.