TREATMENT OF FIBRES

1376606 Polythiol polyester/aminoplast textile-treating compositions CIBA-GEIGY AG 29 March 1972 [19 April 1971] 9767/71 Heading C3R [Also in Division D1] A polythiol ester as described in Specification 9765/71 co-pending is used in conjunction with an aminoplast which is free from ethylenic unsaturation. The aminoplast may contain at least two groups of formula CH 2 OR6, where R6 denotes a hydrogen atom, and Cl to C4 alkyl group, directly attached to an amidic nitrogen group or nitrogen atoms of: (a) urea, thiourea, or a cyclic urea having the Formula I wherein Q denotes oxygen or sulphur, and Y1 denotes either a group of Formula II or a divalent group containing 2 to 4 carbon atoms in the chain, which may be substituted by methyl, methoxy and hydroxy groups, and which may be interrupted by -CO-, -O-, or -NR7, where R7 denotes an alkyl or hydroxy alkyl group containing up to 4 carbon atoms; (b) a carbamate or dicarbamate or an aliphatic monohydric or dihydric alcohol, the alcohol containing up to 4 carbon atoms; or (c) a polyamino-1,3,5-triazine. Many polymercaptan esters and aminoplasts are specified. There may be employed from 5 to 40 N-methylol, N- alkoxymethyl, or N-acetoxymethyl group equivalents of the aminoplast per thiol group equivalent of the polymercaptan ester. The compositions may be used as aqueous dispersions or solutions in organic solvents, for example, alkanols, ketones, benzene, and halogenated hydrocarbons, but are preferably in the form of an aqueous emulsion containing a non-ionic or anionic emulsifying agent and a protective colloid such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methoxyethyl cellulose, or a methylvinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer in the form of an alkali metal or ammonium salt. Curing of the ester is assisted by the use of a catalyst, which may be applied before, simultaneously with, or after the ester, and which may be a base, a siccative, an oxidative curing agent, sulphur, a sulphur-containing organic compound, a salt or chelate of a heavy metal, or a free radical catalyst, by elevated temperatures, and by high humidities. Curing of the aminoplast is assisted by the presence of a catalyst which is an acid, a latent acid compound or a base. The compositions may be applied by immersion, padding, spraying, or tumbling to cellulosic fibres, preferably in textile- or paper form to impart an improved handle, crease resistant or durable press finish, without significantly reducing the water absorpt