Methods for improving dimensional stability and/or durable press properties of elastic fabrics and elastic fabrics with improved properties

Abstract

Methods for providing elastic fabric comprising synthetic elastic fibers and natural fibers with improved dimensional stability or improved durable press while maintaining stretch recovery properties comprise treating the fabric with a treatment composition comprising formaldehyde and a catalyst for crosslinking the formaldehyde with natural fibers in the fabric, and processing the treated fabric to effect crosslinking of the formaldehyde and to maintain stretch performance properties. Fabrics comprising synthetic elastic fibers and natural fibers exhibiting improved dimensional stability and/or durable press properties in combination with additional advantageous properties are produced.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for providing elastic fabric comprising synthetic elastic fibers and natural fibers with improved dimensional stability while maintaining stretch recovery properties of the fabric, comprising treating elastic fabric comprising synthetic elastic fibers and natural fibers with a treatment composition comprising formaldehyde and a catalyst for crosslinking the formaldehyde with the natural fibers in the fabric, and processing the treated fabric to effect crosslinking of the formaldehyde and to maintain stretch performance properties.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the treatment composition further comprises a silicone elastomer or a precursor thereof.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the fabric comprises from about 0.5% to about 20% by weight of the synthetic elastic fibers.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the synthetic elastic fibers comprise at least about 85% of a segmented polyurethane.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the fabric comprises at least about 20% by weight of the natural fibers.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the natural fibers comprise cellulosic fibers selected from the group consisting of cotton, linen, flax, rayon, cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate, hemp and ramie fibers.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the treatment composition is free of aminoplast resin.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the resulting fabric exhibits a length dimensional change and a width dimensional change of less than about 5% each after the fabric has been aqueous laundered one time.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the resulting fabric exhibits a fabric growth of not greater than about 5% after the fabric has been stretched at least about 80%.  
     
     
         10 . A method for providing elastic fabric comprising synthetic elastic fibers and natural fibers with improved durable press while maintaining stretch recovery properties of the fabric, comprising treating elastic fabric comprising synthetic elastic fibers and natural fibers with a treatment composition comprising formaldehyde and a catalyst for crosslinking the formaldehyde with the natural fibers in the fabric, and processing the treated fabric to effect crosslinking of the formaldehyde and to maintain stretch performance properties.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the treatment composition further comprises a silicone elastomer or a precursor thereof.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the fabric comprises from about 0.5% to about 20% by weight of the synthetic elastic fibers.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the synthetic elastic fibers comprise at least about 85% of a segmented polyurethane.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the fabric comprises at least about 20% by weight of the natural fibers.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the natural fibers comprise cellulosic fibers selected from the group consisting of cotton, linen, flax, rayon, cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate, hemp and ramie fibers.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the treatment composition is free of aminoplast resin.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the resulting fabric exhibits a durable press value of at least about 3.0 after the fabric has been aqueous laundered one time.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the resulting fabric exhibits a fabric growth of not greater than about 5% after the fabric has been stretched at least about 80%.  
     
     
         19 . Fabric comprising synthetic elastic fibers and natural fibers and exhibiting a durable press value of at least about 3.0 after the fabric has been aqueous laundered one time.  
     
     
         20 . Fabric according to  claim 19 , wherein the fabric exhibits a fabric growth of not greater than about 5% after the fabric has been stretched at least about 80%.  
     
     
         21 . Fabric comprising synthetic elastic fibers and natural fibers and exhibiting a length dimensional change and a width dimensional change of less than about 5% each after the fabric has been aqueous laundered one time.  
     
     
         22 . Fabric according to  claim 21 , wherein the fabric exhibits a fabric growth of not greater than about 5% after the fabric has been stretched at least about 80%.