Durable finishes for textiles

Abstract

The present invention relates to textile treatment compositions for imparting desirable characteristics durably to textile fibers and fabrics, including softness, hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, surface lubricity, abrasion resistance, tear resistance, improved drape, and pilling resistance. More particularly, in one embodiment, the invention is directed to preparations that comprise a carboxylate-functionalized fluorinated polymer and a catalyst that is capable of forming reactive anhydride rings between carboxyl groups on the polymer. In another embodiment, the invention is directed to preparations comprising a polymeric softener having at least one anhydride functional group or at least one reactive group capable of forming an anhydride functional group, together with a catalyst for forming anhydrides from the reactive group or groups. In either embodiment, the resulting reactive anhydride rings bind to substrates, such as textiles and other webs, having free sulfhydryl, alcohol, or amine groups. The invention is further directed to the process for treating textiles and other webs with desirable finishes durable to repeated cleanings. This invention is further directed to the yarns, fibers, fabrics, textiles, finished goods, or nonwovens (encompassed herein under the terms 'textiles' and 'webs') treated with the textile-reactive preparations of the invention. Such textiles and webs exhibit a greatly improved, durable characteristics, such as softness and/or hydrophobicity, even after multiple launderings.