Synthesis and characterization of polyvinylimidazole and investigation of its antipilling effect on different fabrics

Abstract

Pilling is one of the major concerns in textile industry. To improve pilling values of the fabrics, some methods have been reported. One of which is chemical finishing. In this study, these chemical finishing methods have been used. A key differentiator of this study is that the polymer employed as an anti-pilling agent was synthesized by the researchers of this study and does not negatively affect the hydrophilicity and brightness of fabrics. As most anti-pilling chemicals, polyvinylimidazole (PVIM) was synthesized and applied to fabrics to reduce the pilling tendency. 1.5-2 degrees improvement was observed in the pilling values ranged 4.5-5.0, which means there were no pills on the fabric surface. It has also been proven that PVIM can be used as an anti-pilling agent without negative effects on fabrics in terms of hydrophilicity, brightness and hand. The PVIM was named RUCO-PLAST EPG 18042 to be included in Rudolf-Duraner's product list.