Common functional finishing and trends of home textile fabrics

Textile functional finishing is the process of giving textiles special wearing functions that they usually do not have. It is an important means to improve the added value of textiles. Home textile products, as the main part of textile fabric applications, have great demand for functional textile fabrics. Based on the uniqueness of home textile product applications, this article introduces the common functional finishing of home textiles and makes a preliminary analysis of future development. .

1. Functional finishing of traditional household textiles

1.1 Durable pressing and finishing

Durable press finishing: that is, DP (Durable Press) finishing or PP (Permanent Press) finishing. The anti-wrinkle level of the fabric is higher than that of washable and wearable finishing, that is, the appearance is smooth and wrinkle-free, and the size is stable; the fabric also maintains the shape and shape of the garment. The shaping effect of pleats, such as trouser lines and skirt pleats, remains unchanged. Generally, durable press finishing is mainly used on cotton fabrics and polyester-cotton blended fabrics. Almost all kinds of textile fabrics containing natural fibers need to be finished.

Among household textiles, bedding often requires this kind of finishing.

1.2 Flame retardant finishing

Flame retardant finishing means that the finished fabric has varying degrees of ability to prevent the spread of flames and can quickly stop burning after leaving the fire source. Fiber combustion is generally divided into two types: flaming combustion and flameless combustion. The former is the combustion of gases and volatile liquids formed during thermal cracking of fibers, and the latter is the oxidation of residue (carbon). At the same time, the burning of fibers is related to the products of their thermal cracking, and the thermal cracking processes of different fibers are different. In the textile flame retardant finishing process. Both of these indicators basically need to be reduced as much as possible.

1.2.1 Mechanism of flame retardant finishing of textiles

(1) Covering theory: Flame retardants can form an insulating covering layer on the fiber surface at 500°C. In addition to hindering the supply of 02, it also prevents the outward diffusion of flammable gases, thereby achieving the purpose of flame retardancy, such as borax-boric acid.

(2) Gas Theory: One is flame retardant, which decomposes into non-combustible gas at the combustion temperature and dilutes the concentration of flammable gas below the concentration that can produce flames; the other is flame retardant, which can act as a reactive gas under heating conditions. The higher the free radical transfer body, thus preventing the free radical reaction from proceeding.

(3) Endothermic theory: One is a flame retardant that undergoes endothermic changes at high temperatures, such as melting and sublimation, thus preventing the spread of combustion. The other is a fiber that rapidly dissipates heat, preventing the fabric from reaching the burning temperature.

(4) Catalytic dehydration theory: It mainly refers to changing the thermal cracking process of fiber. Because flame retardants can cause rapid and large amounts of dehydration of cellulose molecular chains before they break, and even some cross-linking effects can occur, preventing the formation of L-glucose. Suppress flammable combustion.

Home textile fabric products are mainly used for flame retardant finishing processes in curtains, kitchen supplies, carpets, sofas, and children’s bedding.

1.3 Three prevention arrangements

The waterproof, oil-proof and anti-fouling treatment of fabrics is commonly known as the “three defenses”. Among household textiles, three-proof finishing is mainly used in kitchen supplies and fabric sofa products. At present, the main directions of three-textile product development are:

1.3.1 Use of functional fibers, such as blending and interweaving of hydrophobic and oil-free fibers. Its main working principle is to change the specific surface of the fiber, and through changes in surface tension and contact angle, it achieves hydrophobic, antifouling or easy decontamination effects.

1.3.2 The use of functional additives is mainly added in the two processes of coating and printing. Most of them are baked at high temperatures. They mainly use various types of resins as the main raw materials, but they often have poor air permeability. In home textile fabrics, it is generally used in products such as kitchen aprons.

1.4 Radiation protection finishing

1.4.1 Anti-UV radiation finishing

Modern scientific research shows that the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays (UVR) on the human body are far greater than its beneficial effects. Cataracts, skin cancer, etc. are mainly caused by ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, it is very important to carry out UV-resistant finishing on fabrics, especially for long-term use and outdoor fabrics.

Outdoor tents and baby carports basically need anti-UV finishing.

Anti-UV finishing methods:

(1) High temperature and high pressure exhaustion method: similar to high temperature and high pressure dyeing of polyester. Some UV absorbers that are insoluble or poorly soluble in water have a molecular structure very close to that of disperse dyes, and can enter the interior of the fiber and be fixed under high temperature and high pressure conditions. The high-temperature and high-pressure exhaustion method is suitable for synthetic fiber fabrics such as polyester and nylon. Disperse dye dyeing and anti-UV finishing are often performed in the same bath.

(2) Normal pressure exhaustion method: It is mainly suitable for anti-UV finishing of natural fiber fabrics such as linen, wool, and silk. The normal pressure desorption method must use water-soluble UV absorbers, such as benzophenone water-soluble UV absorbers. Its molecular structure has multiple hydroxyl groups and has good adsorption capacity for cotton and other natural fibers. Therefore, this The method can be used for anti-UV finishing of natural fiber fabrics such as cotton under normal pressure.

(3) Padding method: Since most UV shielding agents are insoluble in water and lack affinity for natural fibers such as cotton and linen, the exhaust method cannot be used. Instead, the method of bathing with resin and fixing the shielding agent on the surface of the fabric is used. The padding fluid consists of UV shielding agent, resin, softener, etc. The holes on the fabric are easily covered by resin, which affects the style, water absorption and breathability of the finished fabric.

(4) Coating method: In the coating method, an appropriate amount of UV shielding agent is generally added to the coating agent, and a precise fine coating is applied to the surface of the fabric with an applicator. Then, after drying and necessary heat treatment, a layer is formed on the surface of the fabric. film. Although this method will make the wash-resistantThe fiber and hand feel are affected, but it has wide applicability to fiber types, low processing cost, and low application technology and equipment requirements. Most of the UV shielding agents used in the coating method are highly refractive inorganic compounds.

(5) Microcapsule technology: Microcapsule is a special form of packaging. The substances in the capsule can be solid particles, liquid droplets or bubbles. The anti-UV finishing agent can be injected into the capsule through microcapsule technology, so that the outer layer of the capsule will rupture due to friction during the wearing process, thereby achieving the effect of slow release of the anti-UV finishing agent. If photosensitive color-changing crystals are added to the capsule, the fabric can gain color-changing function, which not only increases the aesthetics, but also enhances the anti-UV function and can resist long-term UV radiation.

(6) Printing method: The ultraviolet shielding agent or absorber is mixed into the printing paste, and after printing, it is fixed on the fabric by steaming. This method is suitable for fabrics that do not require high ultraviolet shielding rates.

(7) Sol-gel technology: Generally, the washing fastness of shielding agents is relatively poor. As a new multi-purpose technology, sol-gel technology can coat a layer of transparent metal oxide film on the surface of the fabric, which can Greatly improves wash fastness while enhancing UV resistance.

1.4.2 Anti-electromagnetic wave radiation finishing

The continuous progress of modern industry and the rapid development of science and technology are promoting the widespread application of various household appliances and electronic equipment. This not only brings great convenience to people’s work, study, and life, but also improves people’s health. brought great hidden dangers. It has been scientifically proven that during use, household appliances and electronic equipment will produce electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths and frequencies to varying degrees. These electromagnetic radiations are colorless, odorless, invisible, intangible, and highly penetrating. They have become a new Pollution sources quietly erode people’s bodies, affect people’s health, and cause various diseases.

The main methods for anti-electronic radiation finishing of textiles:

(1) Coating finishing of fabrics: This processing method mainly involves directly coating materials with electromagnetic shielding function on the fabric, so that the fabric has the function of isolating electromagnetic waves.

(2) Interweave conductive fibers (such as carbon fiber, silver fiber) during the fabric weaving process, or print criss-cross conductive materials during the printing and dyeing process to form a mesh to achieve the function of shielding electromagnetic waves.

Among home textile fabrics, they are mainly used in bedding materials and pajamas for pregnant women and infants. Curtains for special occasions also have promotion value.

1.5 Antibacterial and deodorizing finishing

1.5.1 Antibacterial and deodorizing

As concerns about health and cleanliness increase, people’s tendency toward comfort features such as elegance and comfort in their daily lives is also increasing. Harmful bacteria and odors in bedding and bedrooms, which are easily exposed in daily life, and the odors they produce often affect the comfort of people’s daily lives, which increases the demand for antibacterial odor prevention measures.

1.5.2 Main methods of antibacterial and deodorization

(1) Physical adsorption method: Use the fabric to increase the specific surface and increase the pores to increase the adsorption performance of the fabric to odors, and by finishing the fabric surface with antibacterial substances, it can ultimately achieve deodorization and antibacterial properties.

(2) Chemical adsorption method: Through oxidation, reduction, decomposition, neutralization and other reactions on the surface of the fabric, the substances that produce odor and harmful bacteria, and the odorous substances stained on the surface of the fabric are turned into odorless, and harmful bacteria are killed. Death, currently mainly amphoteric surfactants are used.

(3) Use photocatalytic method: that is, use ultra-fine granular photosensitive substances (such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, etc.) to generate electrons and positive holes after absorbing ultraviolet rays, oxidizing the adsorbed water into (-OH) free radicals, and reducing oxygen in the air It is (-O2-) ion, and then forms peroxide, which kills harmful bacteria or reacts with the odor released to achieve deodorization and antibacterial.

Among household textiles, there is a high demand for bedding, curtains, pillow core materials, sofa fabrics, etc.

2. Special functions and intelligent organization

2.1 Fragrance finishing

The so-called aromatic finishing is actually finishing after dyeing and finishing to make the fabric emit a certain fragrance for a long time. At present, microcapsule technology is mainly used to contain the required fragrance materials and then finish them in the fabric to achieve slow release. Among them, β-cyclodextrin is currently used more frequently.

2.2 Mosquito repellent finishing

Generally, mosquito repellent materials or additives are added inside the fiber or on the surface of the fabric to make the fabric repellent to mosquitoes.

There is a large demand for household textiles, especially baby bedding, stroller fabrics and outdoor fabrics.

2.3 Negative ion release for health care

Negative ions are confirmed to have the function of killing germs and purifying the air. At the same time, they emit far-infrared radiation that is absorbed by the human body, increasing the oxygen content in the human blood. It is beneficial to the transport, absorption and utilization of blood oxygen. It has the effect of promoting human metabolism, improving human immunity, enhancing human muscle energy and regulating body functional balance.

Negative ion finishing of textiles mainly processes substances that can release oxygen negative ions that are beneficial to the human body into nano-sized particles and then coats them with microcapsules, and then adds them to the fabric through spinning, dyeing and finishing techniques. During people’s use, Release slowly.

Home textile products that release negative ions are mainly used in people’s small living environments (offices, bedrooms, living rooms). They are very good for creating a high negative ion environment, relieving work fatigue, promoting sleep, and improving individual thinking.�Choose supplies.

2.4 Temperature smart fabric

Mainly through the use of intelligent temperature control materials and auxiliary finishing in household textiles, the textile products have a certain sensitivity to temperature, and the temperature changes are expressed through discoloration or electronic signals, and then transmitted through the information feedback system To the control system, it can realize environmental warning or self-temperature adjustment functions, such as: baby temperature-controlled color-changing clothes or bedding, automatic color-changing curtains according to sunlight intensity, etc.

3. Future development direction of functional finishing of home textiles

3.1 One product has multiple functions

With the improvement of the quality of life, people’s requirements for functional textiles, especially home textile fabrics, no longer have a single function, but require multiple functions. This puts forward new requirements for textile materials and textile processing technology, and is also the future functional The development trend of home textile fabrics.

3.2 Safe and no residue

Safety is an eternal issue in society. Home textile products are indispensable in people’s daily lives and are always with us. In some aspects, they are even comparable to the food we eat in our bodies. They have very high safety requirements, such as: handkerchiefs, tourniquets, Baby bedding and more. Therefore, the selection of multifunctional textile materials and finishing dyeing auxiliaries must be non-toxic, non-irritating, environmentally friendly, degradable and recyclable.

3.3 Functional sustainability

The maintenance of functions and durability of performance of Fanwei products during use are the main indicators that reflect the quality and performance of the product, and are also a major indicator that determines whether the product has high added value. This requires designers of home textile products to fully understand the product usage and processing processes in the early stages of product design, and effectively combine the two to achieve twice the result with half the effort in product development.

3.4 Information intelligence