Easy-care Finishing of Silk Fabrics with a Novel Multifunctional Epoxide. Part 1

A new easy-care finishing method for silk fabrics with a multifunctional epoxide has been investigated. A two-bath/two-stage treatment improved the wet crease recovery angle for 200 to 280°. The most effective catalyst was sodium carbonate. The breaking strength of the finished silk increased, while the stiffness and moisture regain changed slightly. Finished silk fabrics had good laundering durability, with handle and lustre virtually identical to those of the control samples