Effect of finishing methods on washing durability of microencapsulated aroma finishing

To achieve a durable aroma finish on textiles has been a long time dream for textile chemists. As fragrances are volatile, only microencapsulated aroma can stay on textiles for long periods, since capsules greatly reduce the aroma evaporation rate. An aroma finished textile has to be washable. Therefore, aroma capsules finished on textiles should not only last for long time statically but also withstand harsh washing conditions. Due to low affinity between encapsulated aroma and fabric, a fixing agent must be applied with the capsules; the fabric has to undergo a curing treatment to make the agent fix these capsules. However, the curing process is usually a high-temperature thermal procedure that causes aroma loss from capsules by quick evaporation. Thus, fragrant durability on fabrics can vary significantly with different fixing agents and curing processes. Three fixing agents, three kinds of thermal curing equipment, and various curing conditions were investigated. By analysing properties of the fixing agents, heat transfer characteristics of the curing apparatus, and delivered energies in the curing conditions, a washing durable aroma capsule finishing process for cotton fabric was developed.