The effect of anti-wrinkle compounds on physical properties of cellulose fabrics

Cellulose fibers such as cotton have long been used in the textile industry. The benefits of these fibers are due to good moisture absorption and body adaptability. Today, despite the advancement and development of man-made fibers, cellulose fibers are still one of the most widely used fibers in textile production. Dimensional instability and wrinkles after washing are common problems of cellulosic fabrics caused by stress in wet conditions. Research on anti-wrinkle textile finishes has been conducted since the early twentieth century, and researchers have used a variety of chemicals, including formaldehyde resins and polycarboxylic acids, for this purpose. Based on the applied chemical treatment, the finished cellulosic fabrics may find different applications. These anti-wrinkle chemical treatments increase dimensional stability and improve the texture of the treated fabric. However, these chemical treatment has some adverse effects on the treated fabrics, such as tensile strength reduction, tear-resistance decrement, and discoloration. In this study, we investigated some of these non-desirable outcomes caused by anti-wrinkle chemical treatments.