Investigation of anti-pilling properties of different fabrics applied with polyvinylcaprolactam

Abstract

Pilling is one of the most important problems in the textile industry still not confidently solved. The problem is a kind of mechanically caused fabric defect consisting by a series of roughly spherical masses of entangled fibers called pills. Many studies have been carried out to define this problem in detail, determine the pilling intensity by different methods and improve the pilling grades of fabrics. One of the most beneficial methods to improve values is chemical finishing by applying specific polymers. In this study, a specific synthesized anti-pilling polymer was used for chemical finishing by padding method. A specific polymer based on polyvinylcaprolactam (PVCL) was synthesized and applied on the fabrics. The polymer has been characterized with FT-IR, NMR, DSC, elemental analysis devices also to optimize application-parameters. Especially pilling grades of blended fabrics of natural and synthetic staple fibres are often worser then other non blended fabrics, PVCL polymer was applied on a selection of different polyester cotton blends or polyester viscose blend, which have pilling values between 2-3. PVCL-Polymer applications were carried out by using these 7 different fabrics. As a result, approximately 1.5-2 pilling degree improvement was achieved. Anti-pilling polymers applied on the fabrics used to improve pilling values often decrease hydrophilicity values of the fabrics and worsen touch. However, the specific PVCL-polymer does not lead to a loss of smooth hand neighter to a loss of smooth fabric touch. On the contrary, it improves both hydrophilicity and smooth touch not causing fabric yellowing. PCVL is distinguished from other products used for pilling improvement in the textile industry.