SYNTHESIS AND APPLICATION OF MELAMINE UREA BASED PRECONDENSATES

Abstract Formaldehyde based low molecular weight precondensates (fixers) are always have very important role in processing of woven fabrics. Two important applications of these chemicals are in fixing of dyes and improvement of crease resistant behavior of fabrics. The synthesis of a series of precondensates by the reaction of formaldehyde with various percent mole ratios of melamine/urea is described which belong to the class of thermosetting resins. The dyed cotton specimens were impregnated with fixers and cured at 150°C for 3 minutes using acetic acid curing catalyst. The rubbing fastness to crocking, color fastness to washing and light fastness is reported and found to be dependent on the fixing efficiency of precondensate to dye. Precondensate based on 50:50% mole ratio of melamine-urea-formaldehyde showed the excellent fixing efficacy. The fastness to light is found to be dependent on the aromatic character of melamine ring which obviously is due to the preferably absorption in the UV region. The fabrics with an intense color and good characteristics were obtained thus presenting a possibility for extension of the applied in practice textile precondensates.