We have investigated the effects of reactive and organofunctional silicone softeners and silane coupling agents on the performance properties of cotton fabrics. The silicone softeners were aminofunctional polydimethylsiloxane, reactive polydimethylsiloxane of high viscosity, and hydroxy-end-blocked reactive polydimethylsiloxane of low viscosity. A cationic softener, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, was also used for comparison. Methyltrimethoxysilane, glycidoxy(epoxy)propyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, and aminoethylaminopropyltrimethoxysilane were the coupling agents. Cotton fabric samples were treated with a pad-dry-cure process from an aqueous bath containing the softener and other additives. The results indicate that silicone softeners provide better durable press performance with a higher retention of mechanical properties and durability compared with the cationic softener. In addition, the type of reactive group, the viscosity, and the adsorption mechanism of the softener, as well as treatment conditions such as curing temperature, are crucial factors affecting the performance properties of the treated fabrics. Furthermore, the study of the silane coupling agent revealed that it plays an important role in improving the durability and performance of silicone softeners, especially the linear reactive type. The results also suggest that improvements in wrinkle recovery are mainly due to the formation of an elastic silicone polymer network, which entrapps fibers within its matrix, thus improving the fabric's ability to recover from deformation.
