Crease Resistant and Anti-Mildew Muslimah Praying Set with DMDHEU and Benzoic Acid

"Mukena" is a praying set for muslimah (muslim women) which covers all but the face and palms and is worn especially for praying (shalah). As a praying set it must always be clean and comfortable too. In relation to the latter, cotton fabric is usually the first choice of material for this particular clothing. There are certain parts that frequently get wet by traces of water left on the face and hands of the wearer after she takes ablution, especially those that are in contact with the face. This condition favors the growth of mildew or fungus on the fabric which creates an unpleasant look and may reduce the strength of the material if left for longer time (people does not normally wash this particular clothing every day). In this study, we used benzoic acid in combination with a crosslinking agent, dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea (DMDHEU), to inhibit fungal growth on the fabric and to improve its crease-resistance respectively. The best result was obtained when using 60 g/l DMDHEU and 0.05% benzoic acid. The crease recovery angle (CRA) of such treated fabric is 141.5° and it does not lose its strength significantly on two-weeks burial test. For comparison, untreated fabric loses 90% of its strength after the burial.(Anita Anathasia, Anita Ris Herliana, Dian Rosdiana, Elsa Dewi Sulastri)

Soil Release and Crease Resistant Pillow Slip

A pillowslip is a cover for a pillow, made of cotton or other fabric, that can be removed and washed. It adds an aesthetic value as well as provides protection to the pillow which otherwise looks dull and may cause some difficulties when gets dirty. The purpose of this work is to develop a process by which 100% cotton fabric, which is intended for use as a material for pillowslip, has the ability to resist creasing during its use and to release soil easily when washed. The type of dirt or soil that develops on a pillowslip normally comes from the perspiration and dust. In this experiment, we used water- and oil-repellent agent (Oleophobol SL) to impart soil-release property to the fabric. Silicone-based softener was added to improve the handle, which normally becomes somewhat stiff if fluorocarbon was used alone. The treated fabric was subsequently evaluated by its absorptivity, crease-resistance, stiffness, tensile strength and its fastness to crocking. It was found that the best result was obtained by treating the fabric with 30 g/l solution of Olephobol SL. The fabric was first impregnated with the finishing liquor at WPU of 60% and cured at 170°C for 45 seconds. (Selly, Sigit, Sri W, Ujang GP)

Flame Retardant Finishing of 100% Cotton Uniform for Steel Industry Using Organo-Phosphorous Compound

The material used in this study is 100% cotton, and is intended for use as working uniform in steel industry or metal workshop. The selection was made based on the absorption property of cotton which is normally attributed to higher comfort. One of the most important requirements for any outfit used in such an environment like steel industry or metal workshop is adequate flame retardancy, that is material should not easily be consumed by fire and not propagate flame. This study was aimed at finding an optimum formula and condition for flame retardant finishing of 100% cotton without giving any adverse effect to its handle as well as its absorption. The fabric was first treated with nitrogen-containing phosphor compound (Pyrovatex CP New) to give the desired flame retardant property, and then with softening agent (Silicone N-100) to improve its handle. Cotton fabric treated with 500 g/l Pyrovatex CP New and 30 g/l Silicone N-100 showed good flame retardancy before repeated laundering, with ignition time and char length less than 2 seconds and 6 inch respectively, but then it failed to reach the same level of performance after 5 times repeated laundering. This shows that the treatment can only give a non-durable flame retardancy. (Shinta Citra N, Taufiq F, Wawan G, Yanti R)