The Application of Fluorochemicals to Cotton Fabrics to Obtain Oil and Water Repellent Surfaces

Abstract

The application of some fluorocarbon compounds to cotton textiles to impart oleo phobic and hydrophohic surface characteristics to the materials has been investigated Commercial and laboratory preparations of poly (fluoroalkyl esters of acrylic acid) and of chromium complexes of fluorine-containing monocarboxylic acids were used to treat cotton fabrics, thereby substituting low energy -CF 3 and -CF 2 - groups for the -H. the -OH. and -CH 2 HO of the cellulose surface of the cotton fibers. Data are presented to show the relative effectiveness of several classes of fluorocarbon compounds as satis factory repellency treatments for cotton fabrics, and that modification of the cellulosic fabric surfaces by use of perfluorocarbon compounds considerably improves the resistance of the fabrics to wetting not only by water but also by organic liquids of low surface tension.