Patent GB-1119148-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in the treatment of fabrics
IPC: D06M15/263
Filed: 1966-08-03
Abstract: A composition suitable for use in the treatment of fabrics comprises an aqueous emulsion of an oxidized ethylene polymer of density 0.945-1.05 g/c.c. and carboxyl content 0.2-2.0 milliequivalents/g, the polymer being prepared by the oxidation of polyethylene or a copolymer of ethylene with another a -olefin, e.g. propylene, butene-1, hexene-1, pentene-1, heptene-1, 4-methyl-pentene-1 and 3-methyl-butene-1, having a density of 0.935-0.97 g/c.c. and a crystalline melting-point of 115-137 DEG  C., prior to oxidation, the carboxyl groups in the polymer being neutralized with 40-200% of the theoretical amount of a base while forming the emulsion.  The aqueous emulsion may contain as emulsifying agent a morpholine, monoethanol - amine, 2 - amino - 2 - methyl - 1 - propanol, sodium, potassium or ammonium salt of oleic, stearic, palmitic or myristic acid, a salt of an alkyl aryl sulphonic acid, an acetate of a long chain amine, a polyoxyethylene derivative of sorbitan or a fatty acid substituted sorbitan, a polyoxyethylene ester of a fatty acid or a polyoxyethylene ether of a long chain alcohol or alkyl aryl phenol, and the oxidized polymer may be stabilized by the use of an antioxidant, e.g. 4,411-thiobis (6-t-butyl-m-cresol) or N-phenyl-2-naphthylamine.  The aqueous emulsion may also contain dimethylolethylene urea, a zinc nitrate catalyst and a wetting agent.ALSO:The tear strength and lustre of fabrics of natural or synthetic fibres, e.g. cotton, viscose rayon, polyester or polyacrylonitrile fibres, are improved by applying to the fabric an aqueous emulsion of an oxidised ethylene polymer of density 0.945-1.05 g/cc and carboxyl content 0.2-2.0 millequivalents/g, the polymer being prepared by the oxidation of polyethylene or a copolymer of ethylene with another a -olefin, e.g. propylene, butene -1, hexene -1, pentene -1, heptene -1, 4-methylpentene -1 and 3-methyl-butene -1, having a density of 0.935-0.97 g/cc and a crystalline melting point of 115 DEG -137 DEG C, prior to oxidation, and neutralising the carboxyl groups in the oxidised polymer with from 40-200% of the theoretical amount of a base while forming the emulsion, and drying the fabric, so that 0.05-5% by weight of the oxidised polymer is applied to the fabric.  The oxidised ethylene polymer may be applied to the fabric as an aqueous emulsion containing as emulsifying agent a morpholine, monoethanol-amine, 2-amino -2-methyl -1-propanol, sodium, potassium or ammonium salt or oleic stearic, palmitic or myristic acid, a salt of an alkyl aryl sulphonic acid, an acetate of a long chain amine, a polyoxyethylene derivative of sorbitan or a fatty acid substituted sorbitan, a polyoxyethylene ester of a fatty acid or a polyoxyethylene ether of a long chain alcohol or alkyl aryl phenol, by spraying, roller coating, brushing or dipping and after the application of the aqueous emulsion the fabric may be dried at 140 DEG C for 10 minutes.  The oxidised polymer may be stabilized by the use of an antioxidant, e.g. 4, 4\yF-thiobis (6-t-butyl-m-cresol) or N-phenyl-2-naphthylamine. Cotton fabrics may be treated with an aqueous emulsion of the oxidized ethylene polymer which also contains dimethylolethylene urea, a zinc nitrate catalyst and a wetting agent, dried, cured for 3 minutes at 160 DEG C, rinsed, tentered and again dried.