Inventors:
James A. Harris - Pearl River LA
Jett C. Arthur - Metairie LA
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
Agriculture - Washington DC
International Classification:
D06M 1536
Abstract:
A process for copolymerizing vinyl monomers with cotton to yield a product having encapsulated cotton fibers, the product in fabric form has improved durable-press properties, improved soil release, improved dyeability, improved abrasion resistance, and the product contains new multifunctional reactive groups which are useful in further textile modification. The reaction is carried out generally by treating cotton fabric with a vinyl monomer in a deoxygenated mixture of solvents, then irradiating the impregnated immersed fabric by exposure to near-ultraviolet-light radiation.