Spreading of durable press reagents in cotton fabric

Minimum application of the polymerization-crosslinking reagent N-methylol polyethyleneurea, degree of polymerization = 2, (NMP-2) to cotton via the lick roller was explored and compared to DMDHEU. Spreading of NMP-2 reagent solutions in fabric occurred at slower rates and to lesser extents than DMDHEU. Four spreading tests were explored to clarify differences among selected reagents, which represent gradations in structure and solution viscosity. Viscosity of reagent solution proved to be the primary factor controlling rate and extent of spreading, but viscosity did not account for all the differences observed among various reagent systems. Among the tests evaluated, the IIC radial wicking test was the most discriminating for delin eating differences among reagent solutions. The saturation value test was moderately informative, the vertical wicking test had borderline usefulness, and the drop absor bancy test had little pertinence in this connection.