Method for modifying fibers and modified fibers

Abstract

A method for modifying fibers comprises steps of adding a crosslinking agent and/or an aqueous resin emulsion to an alkali aqueous solution dissolving therein a cellulose ether having such a low degree of substitution that a molar degree of substitution with an alkyl group and/or a hydroxyalkyl group ranges 0.05 to 1.3, applying the resulting solution to fibers, neutralizing the applied solution with an acid for coagulation, and thermally treating the fibers. Alternatively, the method comprises adding a crosslinking agent and/or an aqueous resin emulsion to an alkali aqueous solution dissolving therein a cellulose ether having such a low degree of substitution that a molar degree of substitution with an alkyl group and/or a hydroxyalkyl group ranges 0.05 to 1.3, applying the resulting solution to fibers, thermally treating the thus applied fibers, and applying an acid to the fibers to neutralize the alkali left on the fibers.

1 . A method for modifying fibers comprising steps of: 
 adding a crosslinking agent and/or an aqueous resin emulsion to an alkali aqueous solution dissolving therein a cellulose ether having such a low degree of substitution that a molar degree of substitution with an alkyl group and/or a hydroxyalkyl group ranges 0.05 to 1.3,    applying the resulting solution to fibers,    neutralizing the applied solution with an acid for coagulation, and    thermally treating the fibers.    
     
     
         2 . A method for modifying fibers comprising steps of: 
 adding a crosslinking agent and/or an aqueous resin emulsion to an alkali aqueous solution dissolving therein a cellulose ether having such a low degree of substitution that a molar degree of substitution with an alkyl group and/or a hydroxyalkyl group ranges 0.05 to 1.3,    applying the resulting solution to fibers,    thermally treating the thus applied fibers, and    applying an acid to the fibers to neutralize the alkali left on the fibers.    
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said crosslinking agent is an isocyanate compound.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said crosslinking agent is an isocyanate compound.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said aqueous resin emulsion is an aqueous urethane resin emulsion or an O/W emulsion of a reactive organopolysiloxane.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said aqueous resin emulsion is an aqueous urethane resin emulsion or an O/W emulsion of a reactive organopolysiloxane.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said cellulose ether is a low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose having a molar degree of substitution as low as 0.1 to 0.7.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said cellulose ether is a low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose having a molar degree of substitution as low as 0.1 to 0.7.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the alkali aqueous solution is a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the alkali aqueous solution is a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution.  
     
     
         11 . A modified fiber article comprising fibers covered with a low-substituted cellulose ether having a molar degree of substitution with an alkyl group and/or a hydroxyalkyl group ranging from 0.05 to 1.3, and a crosslinked product and/or a resin component derived from an aqueous resin emulsion.