Textile assistants

Diguanides having the formula H2N.C : NH.NH.C : NH.NR1R2 wherein R1 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radical, and R2 is a hydrocarbon or a substituted hydrocarbon radicle are used in aqueous baths for the treatment of textile fibrous materials. In examples: (1) viscose artificial silk is improved by treatment in a bath containing octodecyl diguanide; (2) an aqueous emulsion of castor oil formed by means of lauryldiguanide is used to soften and lubricate textile fibres; (3) sized cotton shirtings are wetted by means of a solution of isopropyldodecyldiguanide. Diguanides are prepared by the action of a salt of a primary or secondary amine upon dicyandiamide. Specification 448,796 is referred to.ALSO:Diguanides having the formula H2N.C : NH. NH.C : NH.NR1R2 wherein R1 is hydrogen, or a hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicle and R2 is a hydrocarbon or a substituted hydrocarbon radicle are used as emulsifying agents. In an example, an aqueous emulsion of castor oil is prepared by means of lauryldiguanide.