Applying Shrink Resist Polymers to Wool Fabrics at Room Temperature Using Pad-Store Methods

Shrink-resist finishing of wool fabrics using aqueous based polymer systems is usually carried out using an energy intensive pad → dry → heat cure technique. This paper describes fabric shrink-resist finishing using the Bunte salt terminated polyether, Lankrolan SHR3 (Diamond Shamrock), by a simple pad → store (room temperature) → wash-off procedure. Advantages of the method include low energy consumption, no fiber yellowing due to the absence of high temperature treatments under alkaline conditions, and ease of post dyeing. Evidence is presented for covalent reaction of the polymer with the fiber to form mixed disulphides, improving the stability of the shrink-resist finish to such agencies as post dyeing.