Foam Finishing of Wool and Wool-Blend Fabrics

Foam application of finishing chemicals can yield reduced water add-on and energy savings in fabric-finishing operations. Initial work in a study of foam application of chemicals to wool and wool-blend fabrics is reported. The foam application system used is the Foam Finishing Technology (FFT) System developed by Union Carbide Corporation. It was found that the finishing chemicals could be suitably foamed and applied to the fabrics on lab-scale equipment. Laboratory applications of chemicals for shrinkage resistance and water/oil repellency were made on five fabrics (wool or wool blend) at wet pick-ups from 15 to 30%. Wet-on-wet applications were made as well as applications to dry fabrics. Test results on treated fabrics indicate that foam applications of finishing chemicals by FFT to fabrics of this type are feasible.