Thermoanalytical and FT-IR Characteristics of Fabrics Finished with BTCA/Chloroacetates

Cotton durable press (DP) finishes of 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) catalyzed with sodium dichloroacetate, sodium monochloroacetate, or sodium acetate (SDCA, SMCA, or SA) were prepared at four acid / catalyst ratios, and catalyst controls were also treated. Thermal analyses were performed using differential scanning calo rimetric (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TG) techniques. Overlaid DSC or TG ther mograms indicated few visible instances of progressive changes produced with varying ratios of BTCA/catalyst. Differences in finishes were assessed when means and standard errors were tabulated. Characterization of this series involved either seventeen or five individual parameters, depending on whether the finish produced two or one weight loss region(s). Some thermal parameters, when plotted versus catalyst ratios of 1/ 0.5, 1/1, 1/1.5, and 1/2, produced a peak (or a minimum) instead of steadily in creasing, decreasing, or remaining level, as found in earlier studies. Finish identification of BTCA/SDCA was rapid; recognition of BTCA/SMCA or BTCA/SA was more compli cated. All BTcA/acetate catalyzed finishes were easily distinguished from BTCA/sodium hypophosphite finished fabrics or 1,3-dimethylol-4,5-dihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) finishes. Most distinguishing thermal features are related to catalyst. Part II discusses TGA/FT-IR studies of BTCA/acetate catalyzed samples.