A new acrylamide- glyoxal-based, formaldehyde-free elastic and stiffness finishing process for silk fabric

A new formaldehyde-free reagent based on acrylamide and glyoxal was synthesized to improve the elasticity, stiffness, and weight gain of silk fabric. The finishing process could be completed rapidly in 20 seconds. The results showed that the elasticity, stiffness, and weight gain of silk fabric were efficiently improved. The stiffness was improved from 0.03 to 0.88 N·m, the delayed crease recovery angle was increased from 240° to 288.6°, and the weight gain could reach 18.1%. The finished silk fabrics were durable. The breaking strength and tear strength were substantially increased, and the whiteness of the silk was well maintained. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the surface of the finished silk remained smooth. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis indicated the finishing reagent reacted on the silk, and X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that a new crystalline phase formed during the finishing process.