Application of Novel Azetidinium Cationic Polyurethane Dispersion Finishing Agent for Wool Fabrics

Machine-washable and antimicrobial substances are the demand for the current wool fabrics. The characteristic of wool fabric is studied with novel self-made azetidinium cationic polyurethane dispersions (PUDs), which used dihydroxyalkyl glycidylamine as the chain extender. Dihydroxyalkyl glycidylamine was synthesized by ring opening with epichlorohydrin and diisopropanolamine. Influences of the cationic PUDs on antibacterial properties, felting shrinkage, and yellowness index of wool fabric are studied. The results show that the antifelting feature of wool fabric with the cationic PUDs is better than the others. It is also found that the wool fabric has a clear antibacterial property. The optimal process has been concluded as follows: the compound PUDs of 50 g/L and curing at 130 °C 5.0 min. The finished fabric has low felting shrinkage after washing for 20 times at 60 °C.