ABSTRACT

Textile finishing by epoxy resins will be discussed from the viewpoint of polymer reactions [1]. Detailed descriptions of the industrial processes are found in references. Finishing is accomplished either by reacting epoxides with fibrous materials or by encapsulating the fibers in an epoxide, hardener matrix. The properties of the finished fiber thus differ greatly, depending on the process. The first process is most effective for improving cotton, silk, and wool, whereas the second method is applicable to all types of fibers. The fiber reaction process has been investigated not only for cellulose, silk, and wool, but also for nylon, polyester [1,2], poly-(vinyl alcohol) [3,4], glass fibers [5,6], and rayon [7]. Besides the above-mentioned fibers [8–10], phenolic resin fibers [11,12], aramid fibers [13,14], and fibers and textiles composed of inorganic materials, such as carbon [15–25], boron [26–28], asbestos [29], glass [30–40], and steel [41], can be finished with epoxy resins.