To read this content please select one of the options below:

Preparation of an associative thickener for digital printing of nylon carpet

Chang-E Zhou (Key Laboratory of Eco-textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China)
Haidan Niu (Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai, China)
Qing Zhang (Shanghai Textile Science Research Institute, Shanghai, China)
Huixia Li (Shanghai Textile Science Research Institute, Shanghai, China)
Chi Wai Kan (Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China)
Chang Sun (Key Laboratory of Eco-textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China)
Jinmei Du (Key Laboratory of Eco-textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China)
Changhai Xu (Key Laboratory of Eco-textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China)

Pigment & Resin Technology

ISSN: 0369-9420

Article publication date: 1 May 2019

Issue publication date: 1 May 2019

164

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to prepare an associative thickener base on two polyacrylate-based copolymers, which can be used for digital printing of nylon carpet with enhanced performance.

Design/methodology/approach

An associative thickener was prepared by compounding two polyacrylate-based copolymers, cationic starch and polyacrylic acid; and mediated by polyethylene glycol and polyacrylamide crosslinker. The formulation of the associative thickener was optimized by using the orthogonal array testing strategy. The stability of the associative thickener was investigated by measuring effects of temperature, electrolytes, storage time and auxiliaries on viscosity. The associative thickener was compared with a commercial thickener by evaluating their performance in digital printing of nylon carpet.

Findings

The associative thickener provided same color strength and fastness in the printing of nylon carpet as the commercial one, but was more easily washed off for a better hand feeling of the printed carpet.

Practical implications

The prepared associative thickener can be applied for digital printing of nylon carpet.

Originality/value

The associative thickener can be facilely prepared from commercially available chemicals and suitable for digital printing of nylon carpet.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Authors would like to thank the financial support from the Natural Science Foundation of China (51703084) for this work.

Citation

Zhou, C.-E., Niu, H., Zhang, Q., Li, H., Kan, C.W., Sun, C., Du, J. and Xu, C. (2019), "Preparation of an associative thickener for digital printing of nylon carpet", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 48 No. 3, pp. 216-222. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRT-08-2018-0090

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles