Formaldehyde Release in Formaldehyde- and Resin-Finished Fabrics

The chemical stabilities of formaldehyde-finished and DMDHEU-finished cotton and polyester/cotton fabrics were compared before and after laundering. The formal dehyde and DMDHEU finishes were applied by the pad, dry, and cure process using magnesium chloride or aluminum sulfate catalysts. Formaldehyde was also applied by a gaseous process (ALMI-SET). All finishes were very durable to fifty launderings, but according to total and releasable formaldehyde, the formaldehyde finishes were the most durable to repeated laundering and storage, respectively. Releasable or free formaldehyde content decreased to a level of low formaldehyde release sooner in the treated cotton fabrics than in the polyester/cotton blend fabrics. Fabrics finished with formaldehyde, especially by the gaseous process, released substantially less formalde hyde than fabrics finished with DMDHEU.