Process for improving the water vapor absorption capacity of textile substrates

US4264645A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC · DE

Inventors

• Wulf von Bonin · Leverkusen, DE
• Hellmut Striegler · Leverkusen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 24, 1978
• Grant date: Apr 28, 1981
• Expiry date: Apr 24, 1998

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T442/2484
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with a method for improving the water storage capacity of textile substrates, particularly fleece based artificial leathers by treatment with a hydrophilizing agent. This agent, once applied to the substrate is insoluble in but swellable in water. The agent in an uncross-linked state is water soluble and has a turbidity point of between about 25.degree. and 95.degree. C. in a 25% aqueous solution. The agent may be applied to the substrate from aqueous solution and then cross-linked or it may be applied to an inert carrier such as kaolin, cross-linked and applied to the substrate from an aqueous suspension. A particularly suitable agent is a polyether with a molecular weight of between 500 and 8500, an ethylene oxide content of about 35 to 80 wt. % and cross-linkable end groups. The end groups may be self cross-linking such as vinyl groups or they may be cross-linkable via a cross-linking promoter such as hexamethylol melamine. These end groups include the hydroxyl groups normally present in polyethers produced from polyalkylene oxides.